Merlin Entertainments has announced plans to enhance the gentoo penguin habitat at the Sea Life London Aquarium following calls for the animals' release.
Additionally, Merlin will stop breeding gentoo penguins at the Sea Life sites in London and Birmingham.
Merlin said it would merge its two UK gentoo colonies – in London and Birmingham – into "a single, enhanced home, with significantly enlarged water space, and natural light".
Gentoo penguins in their habitat at the Sea Life London Aquarium, which will be enhanced.
The company's decision to improve the gentoo penguins' home comes after months of collaborative work with Freedom for Animals, the Born Free Foundation and PETA, as well as a wild penguin researcher, a veterinarian, and BIAZA.
The penguins' new habitat will be designed with input from the wild penguin researcher "to become a conservation research centre of excellence", Merlin said.
Merlin also addressed calls to relocate the gentoo penguins to an outdoor facility or sanctuary, none of which exist in the UK currently.
UK gentoo colonies to merge
"While there are a small number of potentially suitable outside locations in the UK, any move beyond Merlin sites removes our ability to honour the commitment we have made to stop breeding permanently," it said.
"Knowing the significant complexities and resources required to sustain a sanctuary offering excellent welfare across the lifespan of the animals, we do not believe this is a realistic option for these penguins."
Instead, Merlin, Freedom for Animals, the Born Free Foundation and PETA developed "a clear, science-led path to continue to enhance the habitat" while "contributing to further conservation research".
Gentoo penguins at the Sea Life London Aquarium to get a new home with more space and natural light.
In a statement, PETA said the "proposed changes do represent meaningful progress".
"Ideally, we would like to see the penguins live out the rest of their lives at an accredited sanctuary, though there at present isn’t a suitable establishment in existence," PETA added.
Merlin will confirm a full proposal for the project by September 2026.
Images courtesy of Merlin
