Last weekend, Flaco the Eurasian eagle-owl, who originally made headlines after escaping the Central Park Zoo, sadly died after colliding with a building, prompting an outpouring of love for the bold bird who could not be caged. Flaco’s death inspired me to put together a list of famous animals who have made headlines through the years who are definitely queer icons. Here we go!
Flaco, Eurasian Eagle-Owl
![Flaco,The Central Park Escaped Eurasian Eagle Owl,Central Park](https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GettyImages-1472583957.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C900)
Photo by Sheryl Checkman / 500px via Getty Images
He’s an abolitionist king! He’s a queer activist who believes all people should be free. Down with the carceral state! RIP to a legend!
Pizza Rat, Rat
That’s a dirtbag butch if I’ve ever seen one. I just know he’s got a hot high femme gf waiting at home. Perhaps that’s who he’s bringing the pizza to!
Fritz & Fiona, Hippos
![Fiona the hippo in water](https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GettyImages-1230298745.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024%2C683)
Photo by Jason Whitman/NurPhoto via Getty Images
These Cincinnati Zoo icons are definitely queer siblings, and everyone loves queer siblings!
30-50 Feral Hogs
![Feral pigs feeding on a forest, Centre Corse, Corte, Haute-Corse, Corsica, France](https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GettyImages-1400553091.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C800)
Photo by Santiago Urquijo via Getty Images
Does anyone else think about this viral tweet regularly? Anyway, this is a polycule.
OR-7, Wolf
![A close up of a gray wolf's face](https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GettyImages-1632873384.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024%2C592)
Photo by Julian Stratenschulte/picture alliance via Getty Images
This is a queer person who gave themself an obscure name. They’re a bit of an introvert, but they’re also misunderstood.
The Gay Penguins and the Lesbian Penguins from the Dutch Zoo
![Two penguins](https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GettyImages-1160494169.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024%2C691)
Photo by Taylan Gökalp/picture alliance via Getty Images
Who can forget the time a gay penguin couple stole eggs from a lesbian penguin couple?! Listen, who are we to deny the fact of intracommunity LGBTQ squabbles 😔
128 Grazer, Bear
![Grazer 128 on a rock, surrounded by waterfall](https://www.autostraddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GettyImages-1705022903.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200%2C800)
Photo by Mark Kostich via Getty Images
She was the winner of the famous Fat Bear Week competition for 2023! She’s a single mother! Nothing but respect for my fat mama bear!
Wendy, Sea Lion
Wendy went viral when she smoothly stole a human man’s pool chair. QUEEN SHIT!
Bounce, Dog
One of the stars of my wife’s pinned tweet, Bounce was once interviewed on the news. He’s a very distinguished journalist who deserves a GLAAD Award.
The Baby Owls Who Look Like Aliens
These are girlfriends who insist they don’t look alike even though they totally do look alike.
Shoutout some other favorite queer-coded animals in the comments!
this is incredible content
Respectfully where the fuck is IKEA monkey
Australian niche content – but Bob Latter’s ‘thousand blossoms bloom’ crocodile in North Queensland is for sure one of us:
https://youtu.be/1i739SyCu9I?si=fadSol4_s6Jf8Dvv
Both this article and the linked video in this comment were pure delight.
The content I needed today!
Chonkosaurus, the amazingly huge snapping turtle caught in a viral video resting on rusty chains in the Chicago river, is also clearly queer.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/chonkosaurus-chicago-river-snapping-turtle-viral-rcna84211
Excellent content. May I also add Hvaldimir, Russian dissident beluga whale.
“anyway this is a polycule” had me losing it thank you so much for this
Neil The Seal as the inspiration for Kevin in Deadloch seems like a contender!
This is really good, Flaco has been on the news a couple times this week (NYC news), people are really mourning his passing. Grazer, what a queen.