15 gentoo penguins are captive in the basement of Sea Life London Aquarium (Image: Penguins at Sea Life London Aquarium)
Campaigners have blasted the Government for failing to do anything “to improve” penguins’ enclosures in aquariums. Fifteen gentoo penguins are captive in the basement of Sea Life London Aquarium without fresh air or daylight.
Activists said the Government’s new overhaul of zoo standards - the first in 10 years - “does nothing to improve the penguins’ environment”. Dr Andrew Kelly, director of Freedom for Animals, said: “The standards state that animals in zoos and aquariums must be provided with suitable enclosures which ‘meet their physical, psychological and behavioural needs’.
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“But it’s obvious to anyone with even a basic knowledge of penguin biology that a basement room in Sea Life aquarium in London, with no access to fresh air or natural light and a mural depicting Antarctica, is not a suitable environment for the 15 gentoo penguins held captive there.”
In the wild, gentoo penguins can dive up to 600ft and swim up to 22mph but their tiny 6ft to 7ft pool at SeaLife deprives them of their ability to express their basic natural behaviours of swimming and diving.
Dr Kelly added: “The new [standard] does nothing to improve the penguins’ environment."
The Express has been campaigning for the 15 penguins to be moved to a more suitable environment after being threatened with legal action for calling the animals “captive”.
Chris Lewis, Born Free’s captivity research and policy manager, said: "The current and proposed revised standards for zoos in Britain are broad and non-specific for many species, including penguins.
“Its content is written on the premise that it is possible to keep any wild animal in captivity. As well as current zoo standards, zoos in Britain must also meet the requirements of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 (as amended), including Section 1A (c)(i).
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“Specifically, zoos must provide animals with ‘an environment well adapted to meet the physical, psychological and social needs of the species’.
“How the gentoo penguin enclosure at Sea Life, London, has been adjudged to meet this requirement makes a mockery of the Act and highlights how the licensing and inspection of zoos needs urgent review."
A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “On Saturday we announced a major update to rules for keeping animals in zoos, these will ensure all animals in zoos – including gentoo penguins - are being kept and looked after in line with the very latest in best practice.
“It also remains a legal requirement to keep an animal in a manner that provides for its welfare needs. Where penguins require specialised environment exhibits to maintain appropriately low temperatures these must also have filtered air and high ventilation rates.”
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A London Aquarium spokeswoman said: “The welfare of all the animals in our care is of paramount importance to us at Sea Life and we are committed to delivering the highest levels of care through our team of dedicated welfare experts, both internal and external.
“Sea Life conforms to all requirements under the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice by providing the relevant zoo licensing authorities with access to its animal records.
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“This is in addition to regular visits including zoo licence inspections by these local authorities, alongside additional external inspectors and independent vets, who monitor animal welfare and data on an ongoing basis and will continue to do so.”
She added: “The Gentoo penguin habitat was designed with help and advice from specialist vets. It provides an excellent balance of water and land for the penguins which enables them to express their normal behaviours and there is space for them to ensure they have sufficient privacy.”
*To sign a petition to free the penguins visit this page.