‘It’s Un-British’: Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over London Aquarium Penguins Living Without Sunlight
A group of 75 British lawmakers has voiced alarm over the living conditions of 15 Gentoo penguins housed at the Sea Life London Aquarium, claiming the birds have spent years confined to a windowless, indoor enclosure with no access to daylight or fresh air.
In an open letter addressed to the UK environment minister, the MPs expressed “deep concern” for the penguins’ welfare and called for an immediate investigation into their conditions.
“It is un-British to keep penguins trapped in a basement with no daylight or fresh air,”
said David Taylor, Labour MP for north London and the letter’s coordinator.
‘Fourteen years underground’
The penguins — a popular attraction at Sea Life since 2011 — are said to live in a temperature-controlled environment with an artificial pool about two metres deep. However, animal welfare groups argue the setting, while climate-simulated, denies the birds natural light and outdoor experience essential for their behavioral and psychological well-being.
Activist organizations Born Free and Freedom for Animals spearheaded the campaign after claiming that some penguins, including two named Polly and Ratchet, have lived “14 years underground.”
Others, like Gilbert and Ziggy, the groups allege, have “never seen the sky.”
A petition demanding action on the issue gathered more than 37,000 signatures, prompting lawmakers to take up the matter in Parliament. The MPs’ joint letter urges the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to review the aquarium’s licensing and ensure compliance with animal welfare standards.
Aquarium defends its practices
In response to mounting criticism, a spokesperson for Merlin Entertainments, the parent company of Sea Life, defended the aquarium’s penguin habitat, clarifying that the enclosure is not subterranean but located on the ground floor.
“The space replicates the birds’ natural subantarctic environment as closely as possible and fully complies with all zoo welfare regulations,”
said the spokesperson.
“Our expert team of conservationists and aquarists work with the penguins every day to ensure they are healthy, active, and thriving.”
The spokesperson also emphasized that Sea Life’s operations are regularly audited and contribute to broader conservation efforts, including breeding programs and partnerships with wildlife rescue organizations.
Government response
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government takes animal welfare “extremely seriously” and that relevant departments are aware of the MPs’ concerns.
Sea Life London Aquarium, located on the city’s South Bank, attracts over one million visitors annually. The penguin enclosure has been one of its most popular exhibits since its introduction over a decade ago.
However, the ongoing public outcry and political attention have reignited debate over the ethical treatment of animals in captivity, particularly those housed in artificial indoor environments.
For now, as Freedom for Animals continues its campaign, the fate of the so-called “underground penguins of London” remains under review — and under the public eye.
