As a conservationist and advocate for animal welfare, I firmly believe that every creature deserves to live in conditions that reflect their natural habitat.
The recent outcry over the captivity of 15 Gentoo Penguins at London’s Sea Life Aquarium underscores the urgent need for a re-evaluation of how we treat animals in captivity.
Having witnessed the majesty of Gentoo Penguins in their natural environment during my travels to Antarctica when I was 13, I can confirm the stark contrast between their vibrant, dynamic lives in the wild where they live in huge colonies and the reputedly confined conditions they endure in captivity in London.
These intelligent and social creatures belong in the vast expanses of the ocean and the ice packs alongside, not in a cramped enclosure where their natural behaviours are stifled.
While I do not oppose the concept of zoos and aquariums outright, I firmly believe that if they are to exist, they have a responsibility to provide suitable conditions for the animals under their care with strategic plans to find suitable homes for those unsuitable for captivity.
This means ensuring ample space, enrichment opportunities, and social interactions that mirror their natural habitat as closely as possible.
In the case of large birds like Gentoo Penguins, re-homing them to environments where they can thrive must be a priority.
I support the calls to move the Gentoo Penguins from the confines of the Sea Life Aquarium.
These animals deserve better than a terrible life of captivity for the sake of money.
It is time for aquariums to prioritise the well-being of the animals over profit margins and visitor satisfaction.
It is essential to recognise that the captivity of wild animals often serves little to no conservation purpose.
There are a few zoos, such as Bristol Zoo, who are making a difference in the conservation of species in their own habitats and have moved out of the city to create more space.
We are now in a transition period when we will see whether zoos can adapt or not.
While some argue that aquariums play a role in raising awareness about endangered species, I do not agree. Firstly Gentoo Penguins are not an endangered species.
They are a species currently doing well in the wild and at present their population levels are listed as of ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN Red Data List.
Therefore, having this species in captivity and the breeding programmes that Sea Life is undertaking with this species is not connected to conservation, as stated in their promotional material. Secondly, even if Sea Life were helping to conserve this species, this does not override the welfare of these bird in captivity
As activists and concerned people continue to raise their voices in support of the Gentoo Penguins’ freedom, it is my hope that this will impact the revenue of the centre and that they will heed these calls and take decisive action.
Re-homing the penguins to an adequate new home with a naturalistic environment is a viable response. In the end, our treatment of animals in captivity reflects our values as a society.
Let us stand on the side of compassion and justice by advocating for the freedom of the Gentoo Penguins and demanding ethical treatment for all creatures, great and small.