Overview
- A cross‑party group of 75 MPs has asked Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds to order an urgent assessment of 15 gentoo penguins at Sea Life London Aquarium.
- Campaigners allege the birds are kept without daylight or fresh air in a confined exhibit with a pool about 2.1m deep, with petitions surpassing 37,000 signatures and support from figures such as Feargal Sharkey and Chris Packham.
- Merlin Entertainments says the enclosure, Penguin Point, is on the ground floor, uses climate control and filtered air, and the penguins are healthy under daily care by specialists.
- The company says the habitat meets the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice and is reviewed by independent bodies including Global Humane Society and the International Zoo Veterinary Group.
- DEFRA highlighted a broader overhaul of zoo welfare standards without commenting on this case, while Merlin says release into the wild is unsafe for these penguins so any move would be to another accredited facility.