The Penguins of Our Lives

Keepers who work with large groups of social animals know that there is no drama on TV that can match what they witness every day.  There's backstabbing, bickering, constantly shifting alliances and enmities, and, of course, endless romantic intrigue.  Primates provide the most compelling drama, perhaps because they are the most relatable to us, but birds have more than their fair share of drama too.  Penguins, for instance...

Recently, the Kyoto Aquarium in Japan posted an eye-twitching diagram of the loves and losses of their penguins.  I can't speak or read Japanese, but even if I could, I still don't think I'd be able to make tux or tails of this mess, it's so complicated and confusing.  Penguins are nominally monogamous of course... but hey, so are people.

You may notice the presence of a few humans scattered about the chart.  Those are the keepers, some of whom the penguins listed love... and some who they really hate.

Sharing stories like this helps educate visitors as to the complex, social lives of penguins and how we try to replicate their natural conditions under our care.  It also helps to draw visitors in and make personal connections with the animals.  Who hasn't had a backstabbing former-best friend, a complicated love-triangle, or a frenemy, just like a Kyoto penguin?