Animal welfare campaigners staged a major protest outside Sea Life London Aquarium on Sunday morning, demanding the release of 15 gentoo penguins held in what they describe as a basement without sunlight or fresh air. Between 250 and 300 demonstrators attended the "Free The Fifteen" protest organised by Freedom For Animals, with support from Born Free and The Express newspaper.
Former Undertones singer Feargal Sharkey issued a bold challenge to Merlin Entertainments' new chief executive Fiona Eastwood, daring her to swap places with the penguins. "If she's prepared to actually spend a month down there with those penguins, I will donate £1,000 of my money to a charity of her choosing," Sharkey said at the Westminster protest.
Celebrities join campaign
TV presenter Chris Packham CBE dismissed the aquarium's claims about suitable conditions, calling the facility "a blight on the reputation of London's attractions". He argued that keeping penguins underground without sunlight or fresh air is unacceptable, regardless of specialist advice used in the habitat's design.
Wildlife presenter Megan McCubbin, who attended with stepfather Packham, described visiting the basement as heartbreaking. "You can't put human emotions on animals because you don't understand what they're thinking or feeling, but sometimes when you look into an animal's eyes, you just know," she said.
Aquarium defends conditions
Sea Life London Aquarium responded that the penguins' habitat was designed with specialist veterinary advice and provides an excellent balance of water and land. The facility allows the birds to express normal behaviours with sufficient privacy, according to their statement.
The aquarium also emphasised its commitment to conservation through its Breed, Rescue, Protect programme focused on endangered species. Merlin Entertainments, which owns the attraction along with Alton Towers and Legoland Windsor, is co-run by Blackstone Group, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Kirkbi.
Campaign background
The controversy centres on 10 gentoo penguins originally transferred from Edinburgh Zoo when the exhibit opened in May 2011, with five additional birds added since. Campaigners argue the penguins have endured 14 years in unsuitable basement conditions with a pool only six to seven feet deep.
Freedom For Animals launched their Free The Fifteen campaign in January 2024, arguing there is no justification for breeding and keeping gentoo penguins in captivity as they are not endangered. Their petition has gained support from more than 13,000 people, while Sea Life aquariums currently house over 30,000 sea creatures across 11 UK centres.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
