Sea Life London Aquarium has said it has made “meaningful progress in identifying areas for action” following sustained criticism over the conditions in which its penguins are kept.
Merlin Entertainments, which owns and operates the aquarium, recently held a meeting with independent experts and animal welfare organisations after a growing campaign calling for the removal of 15 gentoo penguins from the attraction.
The company described the discussions as “open, constructive and rightly challenging at times,” adding that a wide range of perspectives were explored.
Pressure has been mounting on the aquarium after 75 MPs joined animal welfare campaigners in calling for the penguins to be released from captivity. Activists have described the birds as being “trapped in a basement without sunlight or fresh air” at the central London site.
Merlin Entertainments has previously rejected that description, stating that the penguins’ enclosure is located on the ground floor, not in a basement, and that the birds receive daily care from a dedicated welfare team to ensure they remain healthy and active.
According to the company, the recent meeting was held “to explore and discuss a range of perspectives and options, including from those who believe a different approach is needed.” These considerations included potential further improvements to the existing habitat, as well as the possibility of rehoming the penguins at an alternative location.
Will Travers, executive president of the Born Free Foundation, said the talks had resulted in concrete outcomes. “Based on two days of intensive and respectful discussions, a series of actions have been agreed focusing on the short and long-term welfare of the penguins as a priority,” he said.
Merlin Entertainments acknowledged that the issue is complex and said further work is required before any final decisions are made. The company confirmed that “further dialogue” will take place early in 2026 and that penguin breeding will remain paused in the meantime, as it has been since 2023.
Laura Walton, co-director of Freedom For Animals, said that while full release into the wild was not considered a realistic option, alternative long-term solutions were still being explored. “Concerted efforts will be ongoing to see whether the establishment of a penguin sanctuary for these and other suitable birds could offer lifetime care in a more suitable and naturalistic environment, incorporating natural sunlight and fresh air,” she said.
Merlin Entertainments is jointly owned by Blackstone Group, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Kirkbi, the investment arm of the Kristiansen family, who own the Lego Group.
The company operates a wide range of attractions across the UK, including Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor, Madame Tussauds, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures, as well as Sea Life aquariums, which collectively house more than 30,000 marine animals nationwide.