MPs demand action for SEA LIFE London’s ‘Gentoo 15’
More than 70 MPs have signed an open letter to Government calling for an urgent review of the penguins’ welfare.
The MPs, who span the political divide, have come together to demand action for the fifteen gentoo penguins confined in the basement of Sea Life London Aquarium.
The group, spearheaded by Labour MP David Taylor and Liberal Democrat MP and veterinarian Danny Chambers MP, has written an open letter to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, calling for an independent review into the penguins’ welfare and urging that, if conditions are found wanting, the gentoos should be relocated to a facility that better meets their physical and psychological needs.
The move represents a significant moment in the growing ‘Free the 15!’ campaign, launched by Freedom for Animals and supported by Born Free and the Daily Express, and comes less than a month after the largest show of public support to date.
On Sunday 19th October, hundreds of protestors were joined by naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham, environmental campaigner and musician Feargal Sharkey, conservationist and wildlife presenter Megan McCubbin and green energy entrepreneur Dale Vince, in a mass demonstration outside Sea Life London Aquarium, all backing the campaign which has now secured more than 37,000 petition signatures.
The open letter has been sent to Emma Reynolds MP, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, calling for:
- An independent welfare assessment of the penguin enclosure at Sea Life London, involving independent external veterinary and zoological experts
- Evaluation of the facility’s compliance with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Standards of Modern Zoo Practice, including upcoming 2027 revisions
- Consideration of relocating the penguins to a more appropriate environment aligned with their behavioural and ecological needs
- Publication of the findings to maintain public trust and transparency
The letter emphasises that this is “not an adversarial request”, recognising the Government’s strong record on animal welfare and urging DEFRA to uphold the UK’s global reputation as a leader in the compassionate treatment of animals.
Signatories include MPs from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens, the DUP, and Independents, demonstrating a broad political and public consensus on this significant animal welfare issue.
David Taylor MP, Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead and letter coordinator said: “It’s un-British to keep penguins trapped in a basement with no daylight or fresh air. No animal should live like that, with their rights appearing to be traded for hard cash. I’m proud to have supported this campaign, led by the Express, by helping to bring together more than 70 MPs and peers to urge the Government to step in. I’ve also written directly to the boss of Merlin to pile on the pressure. Labour has always stood up for animals, and we won’t stop until these penguins get the life they deserve.”
Veterinarian Danny Chambers MP, Liberal Democrat MP for Winchester and letter coordinator said: “It is utterly unacceptable that 15 Gentoo penguins are being kept in a cramped, windowless room at London’s Sea Life Aquarium. They are denied fresh air, natural light and the space they need to thrive. These conditions are a world away from their Antarctic home.
“As a vet, I understand how important it is for animals to be able to behave naturally to avoid experiencing mental distress – and it’s painfully clear that these penguins are suffering. For the aquarium to claim that these conditions are acceptable shows they have no understanding of the basic needs of the animals under their care. The Liberal Democrats are calling on DEFRA to launch an urgent, independent review. If welfare standards are not being met, these remarkable birds must be moved to a home they deserve, one that meets their basic physical and mental needs.”
Chris Lewis, Born Free’s Captivity Research & Policy Manager, said: “By law, licensed zoos within the UK must provide environments that meet the “physical, psychological and social needs” of the species that they keep. How a windowless basement with a small pool meets the needs of the 15 gentoo penguins at Sea Life London is highly questionable and we welcome the call from MPs across Parliament for an independent review into the conditions these penguins currently have to endure.”
Laura Walton, co-director at Freedom for Animals added, “Captivity is not conservation. The 15 Gentoo penguins held captive underground at Sea Life London are denied sunlight, deep water to dive in, and the space they need to thrive as nature intended. They never even get to look up at the sky, or feel the wind on their face – how can we call ourselves a compassionate society while allowing such cruelty? We’re encouraged to see so many concerned MPs signing the open letter demanding their release. They know, as we do, that the time for Merlin Entertainments to free the fifteen is long overdue!”