Gentoo penguins to be moved from London Aquarium to Birmingham by 2028
Merlin Entertainments will submit relocation plans this year, with construction starting in 2027 and the new pool costing about £2.5 million
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Merlin Entertainments, the operator of both attractions, confirmed that the fourteen gentoo penguins currently housed in a basement pool at London Aquarium will be transferred to a larger facility at the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham. The move is scheduled for 2028, following the submission of formal relocation plans to the local authority later this year.
The company told MyLondon that, once the plans receive approval, construction work at the Birmingham site will begin in 2027. The new enclosure will measure about 115 square metres, which is more than 40 square metres larger than the existing pool at that venue.
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Financial and operational details
The £2.5 million estimate was reported by MyLondon, citing statements from Merlin Entertainments. The operator added that the investment will not be passed on to visitors through higher admission fees.
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We welcome the eventual closure of Sea Life London's basement enclosure. The penguins deserve far more than a lifetime behind barriers.
Laura Walton, co‑director of Freedom for Animals
Freedom for Animals and the Born Free Foundation have long campaigned for the relocation, arguing that the current basement setting lacks natural light and fresh air. More than 75 MPs have signed a petition calling for a review of the London enclosure, according to the same source.
Merlin also announced that it will cease breeding gentoo penguins at its UK sites. The company said the decision means no new generations will be born into captivity under its management.
When the penguins move, the London aquarium will close the basement pool and repurpose the space to support its broader conservation agenda. The operator indicated that expert care will continue for the remaining animal collections during the transition.
What residents and visitors can expect
Local residents near the London site will see the basement area cleared in the months after the relocation. No ticket price changes are planned, so visitors can continue to attend the aquarium without additional cost. The Birmingham centre will open the expanded pool to the public once construction is finished, likely in late 2028.
Questions this report answers
+When will the penguins be moved from London to Birmingham?
The fourteen gentoo penguins are scheduled to relocate in 2028 after Merlin Entertainments submits approved plans and construction begins at the Birmingham site in 2027.
+How much is the Birmingham upgrade expected to cost?
The expansion of the Birmingham enclosure is budgeted at around £2.5 million, a figure quoted by Merlin Entertainments and reported by MyLondon.
+Who is responsible for organising the relocation?
Merlin Entertainments, which owns both the London Aquarium and the Birmingham Sea Life Centre, will prepare and submit the formal relocation proposals to the relevant local authority.
+What will happen to the London aquarium’s basement enclosure after the penguins leave?
Merlin says the basement pool will be closed and the area repurposed to support Sea Life’s conservation priorities, with no increase in visitor ticket prices.
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