Animal Welfare Groups Protest ‘Basement Penguins’ at London Aquarium
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A growing outcry over the welfare of gentoo penguins housed at the Sea Life London Aquarium has culminated in public demonstrations, with prominent figures demanding improved living conditions for the birds.
Animal welfare campaigners descended upon the London attraction on Sunday,alleging that 15 penguins are being kept in a “windowless basement enclosure†devoid of natural daylight and outdoor access. The protest gained significant traction with the involvement of musician and environmental advocate Feargal Sharkey,who publicly challenged Merlin entertainments,the aquarium’s owner,to address the concerns.
Fourteen Years Underground
According to organizers, the 10 gentoo penguins, originally introduced from Edinburgh Zoo in 2011, have spent the last 14 years in this subterranean habitat. Campaigners estimate the pool available to the penguins is only approximately seven feet deep (2.1 meters), a limitation they argue is inadequate for the species, known for its exceptional swimming abilities. Gentoo penguins are,actually,the fastest swimming birds in the world,capable of reaching speeds of 22 mph (35 kph) in the wild,according to the charity Penguins International. Born Free has reported that at least two of the penguins have never experienced natural sky light.
Did you know? Gentoo penguins can swim at speeds of up to 22 mph (35 kph), making them the fastest swimming birds in the world.
Aquarium Defends penguin Habitat
A spokesperson for the Sea Life London Aquarium released a statement on Sunday,asserting that the penguins’ habitat was “designed with help and advice from specialist vets.†The statement continued, explaining that the enclosure “provides an excellent balance of water and land for the penguins, which enables them to express their normal behaviours, and there is space for them to ensure they have sufficient privacy.â€
A Public Challenge to Leadership
The protest took a particularly pointed turn when Feargal Sharkey directly challenged Fiona Eastwood, Merlin Entertainments’ new chief executive. “Actually, 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 stated. He further condemned the situation as “a shocking indictment,†arguing that there is “no reason that they should be benefiting at all from imprisoning 15 birds in the basement of an old council building.†He characterized the practice as “idiotic†and “a nonsense†that must cease.
Pro tip: When evaluating animal welfare, consider the species’ natural behaviors and whether the environment allows them to be expressed.
High-Profile Support for the Cause
Sharkey was joined at the protest by a number of prominent figures, including naturalist and television presenter Chris Packham, and his stepdaughter, Megan McCubbin, as well as Dale Vince. Packham told Sky News that the building had “always [been] unsuitable for these birds, and they’ve got to be shifted out.†McCubbin echoed this sentiment, describing the experience of visiting the basement enclosure as “heartbreaking.â€
[Image of dale Vince, Chris Packham, Megan McCubbin and Feargal Sharkey (from L to R): Pic: PA]
Corporate Ownership and Conservation Efforts
Merlin Entertainments, which also owns popular attractions such as Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor, Madame Tussauds, Thorpe Park, and Chessington World of Adventures, is co-owned by Blackstone Group, canada pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), and Kirkbi, the investment arm of the lego family. The aquarium maintains that it is indeed “committed to supporting conservation causes globally†through its Breed, Rescue, Protect program, which focuses on endangered species.
Reader question: How can consumers support ethical animal entertainment? consider researching facilities and choosing those with strong conservation and welfare records.
The situation highlights a growing tension between commercial interests and animal welfare concerns, raising questions about the ethical responsibilities of large entertainment corporations regarding the animals in their care. The future of the “basement penguins†remains uncertain, but the sustained pressure from activists and public figures suggests a resolution is needed to address the concerns surrounding their well-being.
