‘Free the Penguins’: What’s Happening in London?

Animal activism is on the rise, and with it come calls to action to save captive species. Most recently, organizations like TideBreakers and EARTH.ORG made a public case for Wikie and Keijo. These two orcas are still being held in captivity at Marineland Antibes with unlivable conditions. Now, the world is watching 15 gentoo penguins held in captivity at Sea Life London. As lawmakers campaign to free the penguins from what they call inhumane conditions, the aquarium says otherwise. As more activists and animal lovers join the cause, the fate of the Sea Life London penguins now hangs in the balance.

The Gentoo Penguins of Sea Life London

A cramped enclosure. Shallow water. No access to sunlight or fresh air. These are the complaints by 75 members of parliament who have already signed a petition. It was sent to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the hope that the British government would help. The penguins, which are currently housed in a basement-level enclosure, are part of the “Polar Adventure” exhibit.

According to Sea Life London, they volunteer their time in South Africa to support the conservation of another endangered species, the African penguin. However, London locals claim the effort starts at home and is not nearly enough for the aquarium’s gentoo penguins. The aquarium also promotes its polar exhibit, explaining that a specialized lighting system mimics the conditions of the Southern Hemisphere. The website highlights the penguins’ natural behaviors and playful nature.

Despite this, activists are coming together to speak out about the reality behind the aquarium’s beloved exhibit. In addition to the lack of fresh air and sunlight, the enclosure’s pool depth is a significant issue. Whereas gentoo penguins can dive up to 600 feet in the wild, the gentoo penguins at Sea Life London have only 6-7 feet of depth for swimming. The enclosure’s size is another red flag, and activists claim it’s not large enough for proper socializing or natural behaviors.

Why Are Lawmakers Taking Action Against Sea Life London?

Activists and animal lovers are not the only ones standing up to Sea Life London. A petition organized by the campaign group Freedom For Animals, supported by British lawmaker David Taylor, has now been signed by more than 37,000 people. “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,” Taylor says in a recent interview. Danny Chambers, a fellow lawmaker, echoes Taylor’s statement, saying, “They are denied fresh air, natural light, and the space they need to thrive.”

Environmental activists, such as Chris Packham, participated in a protest at the aquarium in October. During the event, Packham revealed that some gentoo penguins have been held at the facility for more than a decade. One gentoo penguin named Polly has been there for more than 14 years. Many of them haven’t seen the sun since May 2011, which was when they were brought to Sea Life London. These statistics are catching the attention of people worldwide, who are committed to saving the gentoo penguins. Another petition by 38Degrees has now seen more than 58,000 signatures, and that number is rising every day.

What Action Is Sea Life London Taking?

According to protestors, not enough. Sea Life London maintains that its penguin enclosure is of the highest standards. While some lawmakers say conditions are “utterly unacceptable,” Sea Life London claims the penguins are not only healthy but are thriving. The Conservation, Welfare & Education team from Merlin Entertainment states that the enclosure was built with input from wildlife experts. In an interview with PA media, a Merlin Entertainment spokesperson explained that the tank was designed with the assistance of veterinarians and penguin specialists. They also clarified that the enclosure is located on the ground floor, not in the basement of the aquarium building.

“Releasing them into the wild simply isn’t a safe option for these penguins, who have always lived in human care. “This is a complex issue. There’s a lot to consider, and we take every decision seriously, always guided by what’s best for the animals,” says the spokesperson in that same interview. Unfortunately, this has not been enough to convince activists and lawmakers, who are still hoping that DEFRA takes action.

The Outlook for Sea Life London’s Gentoo Penguins

The world has witnessed time and time again what happens to animals in poor captive conditions. While the conditions at Sea Life London have yet to be officially deemed inhumane, the outlook does not look good for its gentoo penguins. If the claims are valid, their mental and physical health will suffer as a result. Shamu was one of the world’s first significant losses due to human activity in a captive environment. The orca, which could have lived 80 years in the wild, died at just 9 years old due to poor living conditions at SeaWorld San Diego.

Infection and injury can occur in a tank that is not maintained correctly. Depression, social isolation, and anxiety can arise if a tank does not have enough space for the animals held within. Although these issues have not yet been reported at Sea Life London, they could arise in the future without intervention.