Animal welfare campaigners are calling for the release of 15 penguins from a "windowless basement" at the Sea Life London Aquarium, owned and operated by Merlin Entertainments.
A demonstration, which took place on Sunday (19 October) at the aquarium, was organised by Freedom for Animals with support from Born Free and the Daily Express newspaper.
Between 250 and 300 people peacefully protested against the captivity of 15 gentoo penguins at the aquarium.
Naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham, environmental campaigner and musician Feargal Sharkey, conservationist and wildlife presenter Megan McCubbin, and green energy entrepreneur Dale Vince addressed the crowds.
The ‘Free the 15’ campaign is calling for Merlin to relocate the penguins "to a facility that can provide a better environment for these unique and complex animals", Born Free said in a statement.
It is also demanding that Merlin end its penguin breeding programmes and permanently stop exhibiting the animals.
The campaign has already secured 15,000 petition signatures and cross-party political backing, Born Free added.
"Penguins don’t belong in prisons"
“It’s heartbreaking to think that these remarkable penguins, birds built for icy seas and vast skies, are confined to a windowless London basement," Packham said.
"Penguins don’t belong in prisons."
Sharkey added: “Just as we fight for our rivers, we must fight for wildlife. These penguins are denied the most basic of freedoms, light, air, space. It’s shameful, it’s unnecessary, and it must end.
"Seeing so many people here today gives me hope that their voices will finally be heard.”
In the wild, gentoo penguins can reach speeds of 22 mph and dive to depths of more than 600 feet. In their current space at the Sea Life London Aquarium, the pool is six to seven feet deep.
Vince said: “Locking penguins in a basement is the very opposite of conservation. It teaches us nothing about nature or how to respect it. It is simply cruelty, marketed as family fun.
"Today proves the public are ready for change, and as a business Merlin must listen and act. These 15 penguins deserve a life, not a life sentence."
Images courtesy of Born Free and Merlin
