Overview
- A cross-party group of 75 MPs, coordinated by Labour MP David Taylor, sent a letter to Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds requesting a review of the 15 gentoo penguins’ welfare and consideration of relocation.
- Campaign groups Freedom For Animals and Born Free allege the birds live without daylight or fresh air, say the pool is about 2.1m deep, and claim at least two penguins have never seen the sky; a petition has surpassed 37,000 signatures.
- Merlin Entertainments says the habitat sits on the ground floor, not in a basement, was designed with specialist vets and penguin experts, and provides climate control with filtered fresh air.
- The company adds that releasing the birds into the wild is unsafe for animals raised in human care and says decisions are guided by veterinary advice and species specialists, with ongoing external assessments cited.
- DEFRA reiterated a commitment to high animal welfare and highlighted a recent overhaul of zoo standards, offering no facility-specific comment on the London aquarium.