Free the 15 penguins campaign highlights captive animals issue

The owners of Sea Life London Aquarium have pledged to listen to "constructive ideas" about the care of their gentoo penguins after a campaign against the birds' captivity

Gentoo penguins' enclosure at Sea Life London Aquarium. 250 people attended a recent demonstration organised by Freedom for Animals with support from Born Free and The Express newspaper, to protest against the captivity of 15 gentoo penguins here. Picture: Born Free/PA Wire

Rising global concerns about keeping wild animals in captivity were highlighted by a recent controversy surrounding the keeping of penguins in the Sea Life London Aquarium.

In Ireland, the veterinary profession, and numerous other groups, have already voiced fears about the health and welfare of captive animals and called for tighter Government regulations.