Aquarium ‘exploiting penguins to amuse children’, say activists
ANIMAL rights campaigners have accused an aquarium of exploiting penguins to boost ticket sales.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claims 15 gentoo birds are kept in an enclosure at Sea Life London Aquarium without fresh air or daylight for the purpose of amusing children.
A petition by Freedom for Animals, calling for the penguins to be released to a sanctuary, has gained nearly 1,300 signatures.
Crusade
“Birdgirl” Mya-Rose Craig is among high-profile campaigners backing the crusade to free them.
Sea Life insists the enclosure is an “excellent balance of water and land” created by experts, which is inspected regularly.
But Elisa Allen, of Peta, said: “The tiny gentoo colony is afforded barely two metres of water in a small pool – a far cry from the nearly 200 metres they’re capable of diving in the wild.
“Like all wild animals, penguins don’t thrive in busy, noisy buildings in city centres.
“Confining animals for profit only teaches kids that it’s OK to exploit living, feeling beings.”
Sea Life said: “The welfare of all the animals in our care is of paramount importance to us.
“The gentoo penguin habitat at Sea Life London Aquarium 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 to ensure they have sufficient privacy.
“As part of its overall mission, Sea Life London Aquarium has an opportunity and responsibility in sharing the wonders of the natural world in an accessible manner.”