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London aquarium's 'trapped' basement penguins are to be moved to Birmingham after living without daylight or fresh air

Merlin Entertainments will spend £2.5m on a 115-square-metre habitat at the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham. Work is due to start in 2027, and Sea Life London Aquarium's 14 gentoo penguins are expected to move in 2028. More than 75 MPs, Chris Packham and Feargal Sharkey backed the campaign. Bosses insist ticket prices will not rise to pay for it.

The colony numbered 15 until a penguin called Ratchet died earlier this year, aged 31.

Their London pool is six to seven feet deep, though wild gentoos dive over 600 feet.

Freedom for Animals' Laura Walton said the birds 'deserve far more than a lifetime behind barriers'.

MoreThe TelegraphSea Life aquarium to close basement with ‘trapped’ penguins - The TelegraphEvening StandardControversial London indoor penguin enclosure to closeBBC News - LondonPenguins to move from London to Birmingham in 2028The IndependentSea Life confirms controversial London penguin exhibit closure date after backlashYahoo News UKUpdate over penguins living in basement enclosure at London AquariumAOL News UKHuge victory for Express campaign as major announcement made on trapped penguinsThe HeraldControversial London indoor penguin enclosure set to close in 2028BlooloopLondon aquarium to close gentoo penguin habitat, move colony to Birmingham - Blooloop
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