2 hours ago
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A group of 75 MPs are calling for the release of 15 penguins “trapped” in a small enclosure “without sunlight or fresh air” at the Sea Life London Aquarium.
Housing the 15 gentoo penguins at the attraction on the South Bank was “un-British”, said the leader of the campaign.
Members of parliament from across the political spectrum signed the open letter calling for an urgent review into the welfare of the birds.
Owned by Merlin Entertainments, the aquarium opened its first penguin exhibit in 2011 with 10 gentoos from Edinburgh zoo which “have now endured 14 years” with a pool just 2.1 metres deep, according to campaigners.
In a letter to the environment secretary, Emma Reynolds, the group asked her to “consider whether the penguins should be relocated to a more suitable facility better aligned with their behavioural, ecological and physiological needs”.
David Taylor, the Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead who coordinated the letter, said: “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. Labour has always stood up for animals and we won’t stop until these penguins get the life they deserve.”
The campaign has received the backing of the musician Feargal Sharkey, who challenged Fiona Eastwood, the chief executive of Merlin Entertainments, to “swap places with the penguins”. The naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham called the situation “a blight on the reputation of London’s attractions” at a protest last month.
A petition by the campaign group Freedom For Animals calling for the penguins to be moved to a better facility has received more than 37,000 signatures.
Merlin Entertainments is co-run by the Blackstone asset company, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Kirkbi, the investment arm of the Lego family. It runs attractions across the UK including Alton Towers and Madame Tussauds.
A spokesperson for Merlin Entertainments said the enclosure replicated the penguin’s natural habitat and was on the ground floor of the aquarium rather than in the basement.
“We know that many people care deeply about the gentoo penguins at Sea Life London Aquarium – we do too,” a statement said.
“We have an incredible team of conservationists, animal welfare specialists, and aquarists who are with the penguins every day, making sure they’re healthy and thriving. And we don’t do this alone – we work with some of the best penguin experts in the world, including vets and specialists in penguin behaviour and habitat design.
“They helped us build penguin point which meets the high standards set by the [UK government’s] standards of modern zoo practice, and we continue to be assessed by independent organisations like the Global Humane Society and the International Zoo Veterinary Group.
“Penguin point, located on the ground floor of the aquarium, was carefully designed to reflect important elements of the penguins’ natural environment as closely as possible to ensure good health, including climate-controlled temperature and filtered fresh air.
“These are things that can’t easily be replicated outdoors and releasing them into the wild simply isn’t a safe option for these penguins, who have always lived in human care. This is a complex issue. There’s a lot to consider, and we take every decision seriously, always guided by what’s best for the animals. We’re open. We’re listening. And we’ve always done what’s right for our animals based on expert advice and their individual needs. That’s a commitment we stand by.”
A spokesperson for the prime minister. Keir Starmer, said: “We take animal welfare extremely seriously and are committed to upholding the highest standards of care for all animals in captivity.
“We have recently launched, as you’ll be aware, a comprehensive overhaul of zoo welfare standards to ensure that all animals, including penguins, are protected and cared for in line with the latest best practice and scientific understanding.
“The animal welfare minister, Baroness Hayman, has met with Merlin Entertainments and continues to be kept updated on their care and more broadly, later this year, we’ll publish a new animal welfare strategy, setting out the most ambitious plans and generation to improve the lives of animals across the country.”
