MPs have joined a campaign calling for 15 penguins “trapped in a basement without sunlight or fresh air” in central London to be released.
A group of 75 politicians has described their captivity at the Sea Life London Aquarium – a stone’s throw from the Houses of Parliament – as “un-British”.
The aquarium, in the County Hall building on the South bank, opposite the London Eye, first launched its exhibit of gentoo penguins in May 2011, and campaigners are arguing they “have now endured 14 years” in a small space with a pool just 2.1m (7ft) deep.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds has been asked 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 – coordinated the letter and said the campaign “won’t stop until these penguins get the life they deserve”.
He added: “No animal should live like that, with their rights appearing to be traded for hard cash.”
The aquarium is on the South Bank near the London Eye. iStock file pic
Pressure has been building in recent weeks on Merlin Entertainments, the company that owns the aquarium, as well as attractions including Alton Towers and Madame Tussauds.
Environmentalist Feargal Sharkey recently challenged its chief executive Fiona Eastwood to “swap places with the penguins”, in an “old council building”, for a month.
“It’s idiotic. It’s a nonsense, and it’s got to stop,” he warned.
Meanwhile, naturalist Chris Packham – who attended a protest outside the aquarium last month – described it as a “blight on the reputation of London’s attractions”.
A protest was held outside the aquarium last month. Pic: PA
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