Sea Life London Aquarium to create bigger penguin habitat with natural light
Sea Life London Aquarium has announced plans to give its gentoo penguins a larger enclosure with natural light and significantly more swimming space following concerns about the birds’ welfare.
Animal welfare and animal care standards have also been in focus elsewhere in the capital after London Zoo unveiled plans for a new health centre as part of its bicentenary programme. The announcement comes at a time when conservation remains a prominent topic in London, with recent environmental reporting highlighting the long-term recovery of wildlife habitats along the River Thames.
The attraction currently cares for 14 gentoo penguins in a habitat that has previously faced criticism over the size of its pool and the absence of daylight. Merlin Entertainments said the birds will be moved into a new home designed with a much larger water area and access to natural light.
The plans also include 17 gentoo penguins currently housed at Sea Life Birmingham. Merlin said the upgraded enclosure will be based at either the London or Birmingham site, with further details due to be announced in September.
According to the company, the proposal follows months of discussions involving Freedom for Animals, the Born Free Foundation, PETA, a wild penguin researcher, a veterinarian and the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). Merlin said the new facility will be designed with input from a wild penguin researcher and will operate as a conservation research centre of excellence.
The company also confirmed it will permanently end gentoo penguin breeding at both its London and Birmingham attractions.
“We care deeply about these penguins and have always been focused on providing them with the best possible life, now and in the future,” it said in a statement.
Animal welfare groups welcomed the announcement.
“While improved conditions can never resolve the fundamental ethical issue of captivity, we recognise that the proposed measures would make a material difference to the lives of these penguins,” Laura Walton, co-director of Freedom for Animals, said. She added that Merlin’s commitment to permanently end gentoo penguin breeding at both centres represented “a significant step forward”.
Merlin has not yet announced which site will host the new penguin habitat.
What do you think about the planned changes for the penguins at Sea Life London Aquarium? Share your thoughts and join the conversation. Read more London environment and wildlife coverage at EyeOnLondon.
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