Fourteen gentoo penguins living in the basement enclosure at London Aquarium will be moved to a larger pool at the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham by 2028, according to Merlin Entertainments, which owns both attractions. The decision follows a sustained campaign by animal rights groups and more than 75 MPs who raised concerns about the birds' lack of fresh air and daylight.
Relocation plan and timeline
Merlin Entertainments will submit its proposal to the local authority imminently, as reported by the Daily Express. Reconstruction of the Birmingham site is scheduled to begin next year, with the animals currently housed there being relocated while work is completed. The upgrade is expected to cost approximately £2.5 million, and Merlin reportedly does not intend to increase ticket prices for visitors.
The transfer of London's penguins follows a lengthy push for change by the Daily Express and animal rights groups Freedom for Animals and Born Free Foundation. Campaigners urged bosses to consider whether the current facility truly aligned with the animals' behavioural, ecological and physiological needs. More than 75 MPs joined the call for review, as did musician-turned-environmentalist Feargal Sharkey and BBC presenter Chris Packham.
Campaigners respond to announcement
Laura Walton, co-director of Freedom for Animals, welcomed the news but expressed mixed feelings. "We welcome the eventual closure of Sea Life London's basement enclosure. Throughout our joint campaign, we called for the penguins to be moved to a sanctuary or facility with outdoor access, but sadly no feasible option was identified," she said.
"While the planned improvements at Sea Life Birmingham are positive, these penguins deserve far more than a lifetime behind barriers. Crucially, Merlin's landmark commitment to end breeding means no further generations of gentoo penguins will be born into captivity at its facilities," Walton added.
New facility details and breeding commitment
The new facility, which will house approximately 30 penguins, will cover 115 square metres—more than 40 square metres larger than Birmingham's current enclosure. The deep end of the expanded pool will be 3.5 times the size of the London pool and 4.1 times the size of Birmingham's existing pool.
Though Merlin has confirmed plans to end breeding gentoo penguins, some of the birds still face up to 30 years in captivity. In a statement, the company said: "Merlin will shortly submit formal plans to the local authority after which, subject to approvals, works are expected to commence in 2027, with the colony anticipated to move into its new home during 2028."
The statement continued: "The timing of the move will be guided by the needs of the penguins, with their welfare remaining our most important consideration. When the move takes place, the gentoo habitat at London will close, and the vacated space will be repurposed in support of Sea Life's conservation priorities. The Sea Life team continues to provide expert care to the colonies in both UK locations while preparations for the move progress."
