Frozen Planet II: ‘Gay’ albatross romance leaves viewers ‘sobbing’ – Metro.co.uk
Frozen Planet II left viewers feeling all the emotions after an unexpected love story between two male albatrosses.
Sir David Attenborough’s stunning nature series returned to BBC One on Sunday night, visiting the icy waters of Antarctica.
The episode detailed how albatross mating rituals unfold after a female seabird attracted the eye of a male admirer.
In spring, the longer days turn land in the sub-antarctic islands of the Antipodes into potential breeding ground for albatrosses.
One scene showed how a 14-year-old male, now mature enough to select a partner, carried out an elaborate courtship ritual, including sky pointing, a double head bob and synchronised wing-spreading.
However, his chances at wooing the female were scuppered when another male swooped in followed by several others, all of who began flexing their own wings to see whose was larger – as Sir David notes, the greater the span, the more attractive they will appear.
Overwhelmed by all the advances, the female albatross flew off into the skies leaving her teen suitor deflated.
But, his spirits were soon perked up when another male swooped in with hopes of courting the singleton.
‘This could still be the one with whom he will share the rest of his life,’ Sir David narrates, noting that albatrosses can stay committed for up to 50 years.
The conservationist explained that same-sex relationships between albatrosses are becoming’ increasingly common’ as there are currently three times as many males as females.
‘The female albatross is now declining fast,’ he said.
‘A same-sex partnership like this may bring no survival advantage, but is apparently preferable to a life alone.’
Viewers’ hearts melted at the emotional scenes, with one tweeting: ‘Those cute little gay albatross’ on #FrozenPlanetII made my Sunday evening. #loveislove even in the world of seabirds.’
‘Aww the gay albatross couple. We all need companionship you see,’ another chimed in.
One viewer tweeted that the heartwarming story left them ‘sobbing’.
‘The antipodean albatross said gay right,’ another applauded.
Frozen Planet II returns to BBC One next Sunday at 8pm.
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