MPs have joined a marketing campaign calling for 15 penguins “trapped in a basement without sunlight or fresh air” in central London to be launched.
A bunch of 75 politicians has described their captivity on the Sea Life London Aquarium – a stone’s throw from the Homes of Parliament – as “un-British”.
The aquarium, within the County Corridor constructing on the South financial institution, reverse the London Eye, first launched its exhibit of gentoo penguins in Might 2011, and campaigners are arguing they “have now endured 14 years” in a small area with a pool simply 2.1m (7ft) deep.
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Pic: Born Free/PA
Surroundings Secretary Emma Reynolds has been requested to “consider whether the penguins should be relocated to a more suitable facility better aligned with their behavioural, ecological and physiological needs”.
David Taylor – the Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead – coordinated the letter and mentioned the marketing campaign “won’t stop until these penguins get the life they deserve”.
He added: “No animal should live like that, with their rights appearing to be traded for hard cash.”
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The aquarium is on the South Financial institution close to the London Eye. iStock file pic
Strain has been constructing in latest weeks on Merlin Entertainments, the corporate that owns the aquarium, in addition to points of interest together with Alton Towers and Madame Tussauds.
Environmentalist Feargal Sharkey lately challenged its chief govt Fiona Eastwood to “swap places with the penguins”, in an “old council building”, for a month.
“It’s idiotic. It’s a nonsense, and it’s got to stop,” he warned.
In the meantime, naturalist Chris Packham – who attended a protest outdoors the aquarium final month – described it as a “blight on the reputation of London’s attractions”.
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A protest was held outdoors the aquarium final month. Pic: PA
A petition launched by the Freedom for Animals marketing campaign group has now obtained greater than 37,000 signatures – with Born Free saying a minimum of two of the birds have by no means seen the sky.
However a spokesperson for Merlin’s dialog group mentioned the present enclosure represents the penguins’ pure habitat – and is on the bottom flooring relatively than the basement.
An announcement added: “We know that many people care deeply about the gentoo penguins at Sea Life London Aquarium – we do too.
“We now have an unimaginable group of conservationists, animal welfare specialists, and aquarists who’re with the penguins each day, ensuring they’re wholesome and thriving.
“And we don’t do this alone – we work with some of the best penguin experts in the world, including vets and specialists in penguin behaviour and habitat design.”
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Pic: Born Free/PA
Merlin went on to say that “Penguin Point” was constructed to duplicate their pure setting, with climate-controlled temperature and filtered recent air.
“These are things that can’t easily be replicated outdoors and releasing them into the wild simply isn’t a safe option for these penguins, who have always lived in human care.”
The corporate added that the penguins’ care is a “complex issue” and each resolution about their welfare is taken critically.
“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.”
A DEFRA spokesperson did not handle the Sea Life London Aquarium particularly, however mentioned: “This government is committed to the highest standards of animal welfare.
“We lately launched an overhaul of welfare requirements in zoos to strengthen protections and guarantee all animals – together with gentoo penguins – are cared for in step with greatest follow.”
