A lesbian royal albatross couple have become the proud parents to chick on the Otago Peninsula in New Zealand, the only mainland breeding colony in the world for the endangered birds.

Although same-sex pairings have occurred before, it’s “not common”, according to Robin Thomas, spokesperson for the Department of Conservation.  

Thomas explained that “one of them obviously mated so their egg was fertile.” Adding that “only one egg was laid and that’s now hatched.”  

After struggling for 24 hours once the egg hatched, the chick soon recovered.

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