A coalition of 75 Members of Parliament has joined forces with animal welfare activists in demanding the release of 15 Gentoo penguins from the Sea Life London Aquarium, amid claims the birds are being kept in unsuitable conditions.
Political Pressure Mounts
The controversy centres on allegations that the penguins are "trapped in a basement without sunlight or fresh air" at the popular riverside attraction. An open letter published on November 11 calls for an immediate welfare review of the penguin enclosure.
David Taylor, Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead and campaign coordinator, described the situation as "un-British" and declared that "no animal should live like that, with their rights appearing to be traded for hard cash." He emphasised Labour's commitment to animal welfare, vowing to continue fighting until the penguins receive the quality of life they deserve.
Celebrity Backing and Public Support
The campaign has attracted significant celebrity endorsement, with musician-turned-environmentalist Feargal Sharkey challenging Merlin Entertainments' new chief executive Fiona Eastwood to "swap places with the penguins." Naturalist and BBC presenter Chris Packham, who attended a protest outside the aquarium last month, condemned the exhibit as "a blight on the reputation of London's attractions."
Public support for the penguins' relocation has been substantial, with a petition organised by campaign group Freedom For Animals gathering more than 37,000 signatures calling for the birds to be moved to a more suitable facility.
Aquarium's Defence
Merlin Entertainments, which co-runs the aquarium alongside Blackstone Group, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Kirkbi, has strongly defended its penguin enclosure. A spokesperson from their conservation, welfare and education team clarified that the enclosure is located on the ground floor, not in the basement, and replicates the penguins' natural habitat.
The statement highlighted that Penguin Point was designed with input from international penguin experts and meets the high standards set by the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice. The enclosure features climate-controlled temperatures and filtered fresh air, with the aquarium emphasising that releasing the birds into the wild isn't a safe option as they have always lived in human care.
The penguin exhibit first opened in May 2011 with 10 Gentoo penguins transferred from Edinburgh Zoo. Campaigners claim the pool depth measures only six to seven feet, which they argue is insufficient for the birds' needs.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has responded to the growing controversy, with a spokesperson confirming the government's commitment to "the highest standards of animal welfare" and recent reforms to zoo welfare standards to ensure all animals receive care aligned with best practice.
