Political Pressure Mounts Over Penguin Enclosure
A significant cross-party group of 75 Members of Parliament is demanding urgent action regarding the welfare of 15 gentoo penguins housed at the Sea Life London Aquarium. In a powerful open letter, the MPs described the birds as being "trapped" in an enclosure that allegedly lacks sunlight and fresh air, calling the situation "un-British".
Fourteen Years in Captivity
The controversy centres on penguins that were originally brought to the South Bank attraction 14 years ago from Edinburgh Zoo. According to campaigners, the penguins have spent over a decade in a facility with a pool measuring just 2.1 metres deep. The aquarium, which is owned by Merlin Entertainments, first opened its penguin exhibit in 2011.
The coordinated letter, addressed to Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds, specifically requests that she "consider whether the penguins should be relocated to a more suitable facility better aligned with their behavioural, ecological and physiological needs".
Widespread Support and Company Response
David Taylor, the Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead who organised the campaign, stated emphatically: "It’s un-British to keep penguins trapped in a basement with no daylight or fresh air. No animal should live like that, with their rights appearing to be traded for hard cash."
The movement has garnered support from prominent figures, including musician Feargal Sharkey and naturalist Chris Packham, who labelled the enclosure "a blight on the reputation of London’s attractions". Furthermore, a petition started by the campaign group Freedom For Animals has accumulated more than 37,000 signatures.
In response, a spokesperson for Merlin Entertainments defended the enclosure, stating it replicates the penguins' natural habitat and is located on the ground floor, not in a basement. The company emphasised its team of conservationists and animal welfare specialists, noting the facility meets UK government standards and is assessed by independent organisations.
A spokesperson for the prime minister confirmed the government's commitment to animal welfare, highlighting a recent overhaul of zoo welfare standards and plans to publish a new animal welfare strategy later this year.
