'Penguins being kept in a basement with no daylight or fresh air'

CAMPAIGNERS have called for the release of penguins held in an enclosure they describe as a "dungeon" without daylight or fresh air.

- Steph Spyro

The colony of 15 Gentoo birds is housed in a "basement" at Sea Life London Aquarium, according to Freedom for Animals.

The group, which has launched a petition calling for their release into a sanctuary, claim the enclosure offers just seven feet of diving depth. This is a fraction of the 600ft the birds can dive to in the wild, they said.

Dr Andrew Kelly, director of Freedom for Animals, added: "Sea Life London Aquarium has a tiny basement in which a colony of penguins Gentoo spend their lives.

"Its parent company, Merlin Entertainments, owns a number of tourist attractions including London Dungeon.