Campaigners call penguin captivity at Sea Life London aquarium ‘un-British’

11 Nov 2025 • 10:40 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

image is not available

  • A cross-party group of 75 MPs and animal welfare campaigners are calling for the release of 15 gentoo penguins from Sea Life London Aquarium.
  • Campaigners describe the penguins' captivity as “un-British”, alleging they are trapped in a basement without sunlight or fresh air for 14 years.
  • An open letter has been sent to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, urging a review of the penguins' welfare and their relocation to a more suitable facility.
  • Prominent figures like Feargal Sharkey and Chris Packham have backed the campaign, with a petition by Freedom For Animals gathering over 37,000 signatures.
  • Sea Life London Aquarium maintains that the penguins' habitat was designed with specialist veterinary advice, providing an excellent balance of water and land for their normal behaviours.

IN FULL