A group of Members of Parliament has expressed concern that the Gentoo penguins housed at the Sea Life London Aquarium are confined in an environment that doesn’t meet their needs, and they argue that these creatures should “live the life they are entitled to.”

According to David Taylor, the Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead and a leading advocate for this cause, keeping 15 Gentoo penguins at the riverside attraction is “not in keeping with British values.” He points to the aquarium’s history, noting that its penguin exhibit debuted in May 2011 with ten Gentoo penguins transferred from Edinburgh Zoo.

Representatives from Merlin Entertainments, the company that operates the aquarium, stated that the penguin habitat mimics their natural surroundings and is located on the ground floor rather than in the basement.

In a correspondence directed to Emma Reynolds, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the MPs urged her to evaluate the possibility of relocating the penguins to a facility that better accommodates their behavioral, ecological, and physiological requirements.

Mr. Taylor commented, “It is not in accordance with British values to confine penguins in a basement devoid of natural light and fresh air. No animal deserves such a fate, where their welfare seems to be compromised for profit. The Labour Party has always advocated for animal rights, and we will continue our efforts until these penguins are afforded the quality of life they merit.”

The initiative has garnered support from Feargal Sharkey, the former lead singer of The Undertones, who has challenged the new CEO of Merlin Entertainments, Fiona Eastwood, to “experience life as the penguins do.”

A petition launched by the campaign organization Freedom For Animals, requesting the relocation of the penguins to a more appropriate facility, has gathered over 37,000 signatures.

In response, a spokesperson for Merlin Entertainments acknowledged the public’s concern for the Gentoo penguins, stating, “We share the same passion. Our dedicated team of conservationists, animal welfare experts, and aquarists ensures that the penguins are healthy and well cared for.”

They emphasized that Penguin Point adheres to contemporary zoo standards and has been specifically designed to include key aspects of the penguins’ natural habitat. “Every decision we make is taken with utmost seriousness, guided solely by the best interests of the animals involved,” they remarked.

A spokesperson from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) stated: “This government is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of animal welfare. We have recently initiated a comprehensive review of zoo welfare standards to enhance protections and ensure that all animals, including Gentoo penguins, receive care that aligns with best practices.”