MPs Demand Release of Penguins "Trapped in Basement" at London Aquarium

As of November 11th, 2025, a group of MPs and animal welfare activists are calling for the immediate release of 15 gentoo penguins being held captive at the Sea Life London Aquarium. The penguins, which have been part of the aquarium's exhibit since 2011, are said to be "trapped in a basement without sunlight or fresh air" according to the campaigners.

The campaign, led by Labour MP David Taylor, has garnered support from politicians across the political spectrum. They have sent an open letter to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, urging her to consider relocating the penguins to a more suitable facility that better aligns with their behavioral, ecological, and physiological needs.

Musician-turned-environmentalist Feargal Sharkey has also joined the cause, challenging the new Merlin Entertainments chief executive to "swap places with the penguins." The aquarium, owned by Merlin Entertainments, has defended the penguins' enclosure, stating that it replicates their natural habitat and meets high welfare standards.

However, the campaign group Freedom For Animals has already collected over 37,000 signatures on a petition calling for the penguins to be moved to a better facility. The government has acknowledged the importance of animal welfare, recently launching an overhaul of zoo standards to strengthen protections for all animals, including the gentoo penguins.