WATCH: The Internet’s Heart Is Breaking Over Some Viral Penguin Infidelity

By

Published

November 6, 2016

You’d think after so many decades of wildlife documentaries, we’d be accustomed to how brutal life in the animal kingdom can be. After all, for every lion David Attenborough has ever shown us, there’s probably some half-eaten antelope just off-screen.

Still, National Geographic has apparently found a new way to demonstrate how rough it is out there, and it’s gut-wrenching precisely because it’s so human. They also found a way to make penguins not cute, so good job there, Nat Geo.

A two-and-a-half minute clip posted yesterday morning shows a tale as old as… well, whenever birds established themselves as a viable evolutionary outcome. In short, it shows male penguin discovering his mate’s infidelity, and the ensuing fight between him and the new guy / feathery fuccboi.

It gets bloody. It also gets bloody heartbreaking:

A fight breaks out when a husband comes home and finds his wife with another penguin. pic.twitter.com/9ejYGcJ5TJ

— Nat Geo Channel (@NatGeoChannel) November 4, 2016

Sure, National Geographic intended to show us something real, but the internet seems to think that clip is a lil’ too real. Apparently, that betrayal has parallels outside of some godforsaken icecap:

@NatGeoChannel “SHE LEFT HIM FOR ANOTHER PENGUIN” ?? pic.twitter.com/3QF5VtYXIo

— yaz (@_ILoveYazmine) November 5, 2016

The one that pained me pass is that he fought for her a second time, and she still chose the other guy. What is this life really? pic.twitter.com/PLdCMuGx2d

— Chidi Okereke (@Chydee) November 5, 2016

That video really messed me up. Please post something adorable ASAP ???? @NatGeoChannel pic.twitter.com/9BdwORQG5z

— Kamilah Willingham (@kamily) November 5, 2016

@NatGeoChannel I never thought in my life I’d meaningfully gasp and use the phrase “what a bitch” out loud pertaining penguins.

— ??JUNE?? (@OhKevinGee_) November 5, 2016

Happy Feet was lie

— Yule (@YuleD) November 5, 2016

You best believe the people want answers, too:

WELL WHAT HAPPENED NEXT @NatGeoChannel? DID HE FIND A NEW PENGUIN WHO TREATED HIM RIGHT?? https://t.co/tT99MrGMbs

— Nasty Mujer ???? (@HappyFeminist) November 5, 2016

??: “In my BURROW?! In my nest bed where my wife sleeps? Where my eggs hatch to play with their toys.”

— Nasty Mujer ???? (@HappyFeminist) November 5, 2016

This shit has even spawned some miniature head-canons:

@ChantelNicole44 He fought so hard. She ain’t have to do him like that. He can do better. She even took his kids. Trifling.

— ?Mari? (@thepaperframes) November 5, 2016

@thepaperframes true but we don’t know the full story. What if he’s the trifling one. What if he had a secret family & she found out!

— CuntyNicole??? (@ChantelNicole44) November 5, 2016