SEA LIFE London Aquarium London Aquarium

peruvianbirdie said:
I find the land space decent at best IMO but agree that swimming space is just as important. I can’t help but have sympathy for the keeper teams in these kind of scenarios (keepers having bonds with these animals and both are at risk, not that AR give a crap b/c they always lack empathy for keepers), wish the aquarium have the funds/ability to expand the exhibit and maybe better artificial lighting, but of course that sadly won’t likely happen. I stand by still that I want troubled but good intentional zoos/aquariums to be improved rather than be forced to shut down or remove their animals for my previous reason. As for penguins being indoors (I always thought it was the norm at least in NA, I mean we have Detroit, SeaWorld, Omaha, St. Louis, and others that are able to provide a suitable environment). Also these ppl don’t understand how prone and sensitive Antarctic penguins can be to pathogens and other illnesses outside. In general a the only solution for these ppl would be the penguins move to other zoos/aquariums, but of course they hate that b/c no sanctuary (not that one exist for these kind of penguins and it would take months or years, have they not learn form the current MarineLand dilemma!). Anyways sorry for this lengthy rant.
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I take a rather different view as in the U.K. these activists focus on what I would say are ‘soft targets’ - poor exhibits or zoos with demonstrably poor welfare. That’s what gets media attention vs simply standing around outside London zoo or what have you. It’s giving them a platform to start from.

This exhibit is poor and even fans of zoos say so. It’s inviting protest and instead of giving it a chance to ‘improve’ which it plainly won’t (there are no published plans to change it it seems) perhaps the penguins should go to a more suitable location.

I don’t agree with these silly protestors but poor enclosures invite them to make their points and while the debate goes on the animals live in less than ideal conditions.

I’d agree this is one of the worst exhibits for the species (it’s not about it being indoors though it hardly helps the impression, I’ve visited this place once and wouldn’t do so again) but the facilities for the birds. Defending the defensible against activists is much easier. In this case they have a bit of an open door to exploit. If the collection should be given the chance to change the conditions where are their plans to? Barely decent isn’t good enough.
 
peruvianbirdie said:
I stand by still that I want troubled but good intentional zoos/aquariums to be improved rather than be forced to shut down or remove their animals for my previous reason.
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This is something I strongly agree with and part of why I'm reluctant to place real, honest and deserved exhibit concerns and criticism alongside bunk like these protestors who seem to be entirely ignorant the actual environmental needs of these animals.

Genuine, honest criticism from people like us is intended to motivate zoos and aquariums to improve the animals' welfare, but these activists have proven time and time again they will even criticize world-class exhibits, because their true goal isn't to improve captive conditions but a fantasy where all animals in captivity are abandoned in the wild, a goal that is starting to jeopardize efforts to improve captive husbandry and the safety of captive animals. What I fear is that these two very different voices, when heard together, has sometimes given the anti-captivity activists more power and leverage than they deserve.
 
A group of 75 MPs have signed an open letter to DEFRA secretary Emma Reynolds asking her to consider whether the penguins should be relocated to a more suitable facility better aligned with their behavioural, ecological and physical needs. A petition calling for the penguins to be moved has over 37000 signatures.
 
Strathmorezoo said:
A group of 75 MPs have signed an open letter to DEFRA secretary Emma Reynolds asking her to consider whether the penguins should be relocated to a more suitable facility better aligned with their behavioural, ecological and physical needs. A petition calling for the penguins to be moved has over 37000 signatures.
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And are they doing the same for Birmingham Sealife and The Deep?

Have they looked at the new BIAZA Guidelines and are the facilities at any of these places not living up to them?
 
A group of 75 MPs have signed an open letter to DEFRA secretary Emma Reynolds asking her to consider whether the penguins should be relocated to a more suitable facility better aligned with their behavioural, ecological and physical needs. A petition calling for the penguins to be moved has over 37000 signatures.
polarbear said:
And are they doing the same for Birmingham Sealife and The Deep?

Have they looked at the new BIAZA Guidelines and are the facilities at any of these places not living up to them?
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I don't know
 
It's almost as if the husbandry guidelines are to keep them in climate-controlled spaces for a reason!

If this gives Sea Life the kick to re-do that exhibit, either by getting rid of the penguins entirely or modernising it, then I suppose there is a positive outcome from this. But what I don't like is that it will legitimise the misinformation (and downright lies) being spread to push it by the usual suspects.
 
cerperal said:
It's almost as if the husbandry guidelines are to keep them in climate-controlled spaces for a reason!

If this gives Sea Life the kick to re-do that exhibit, either by getting rid of the penguins entirely or modernising it, then I suppose there is a positive outcome from this. But what I don't like is that it will legitimise the misinformation (and downright lies) being spread to push it by the usual suspects.
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So hopefully the DEFRA Secretary will reply with the BIAZA / Husbandry Guidelines and not use it as a public show against zoos, aquariums and safari parks.
 
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