A cross-party group of 75 MPs has joined animal welfare campaigners in calling for the release of 15 gentoo penguins from the Sea Life London Aquarium.
Last month, the 'Free the 15' campaign urged Merlin Entertainments, which owns and operates the aquarium, to relocate the penguins.
A demonstration also took place at the aquarium on 19 October. This was organised by Freedom for Animals with support from Born Free and the Daily Express newspaper.
Now, Members of Parliament have co-signed an open letter sent to Emma Reynolds MP, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The group has asked Reynolds to "consider whether the penguins should be relocated to a more suitable facility better aligned with their behavioural, ecological and physiological needs".
David Taylor, Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead and letter co-ordinator, said: “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.
"Labour has always stood up for animals and we won’t stop until these penguins get the life they deserve."
"This is a complex issue," says Merlin spokesperson
The campaign has already been backed by naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham, environmental campaigner and musician Feargal Sharkey, conservationist and wildlife presenter Megan McCubbin, and green energy entrepreneur Dale Vince.
Via the Independent, a spokesperson from Merlin's conservation, welfare and education team said: "We know that many people care deeply about the gentoo penguins at Sea Life London Aquarium – we do too.
"We have an incredible team of conservationists, animal welfare specialists, and aquarists who are with the penguins every day, making sure they're healthy and thriving."
Merlin's spokesperson also said the company works with "some of the best penguin experts in the world", who helped to build the aquarium's Penguin Point exhibit.
They said Penguin Point meets the standards of modern zoo practice and "was carefully designed to reflect important elements of the penguins' natural environment".
Releasing the birds into the wild "simply isn't a safe option for these penguins, who have always lived in human care", they added.
The spokesperson said: "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.
"We’re open. We’re listening. And we’ve always done what’s right for our animals based on expert advice and their individual needs. That’s a commitment we stand by."
Images courtesy of Born Free and Merlin
