Penguin living conditions at London aquarium stir icy response from protesters

A flap of outrage is brewing over the fate of 15 residents of a cramped central London building, who critics say live out their lives indoors with no daylight, fresh air or adequately deep water.

LONDON — A flap of outrage is brewing over the fate of 15 residents of a cramped central London building, who critics say live out their lives indoors with no daylight, fresh air or adequately deep water.

The gentoo penguins are one of the star attractions at the Sea Life London Aquarium, in one of the city’s most popular tourist hot spots, across the river from the British Parliament and nestled between a “Shrek”-themed experience and the popular London Eye landmark.

British lawmakers this week joined campaigners in voicing mounting concerns for their 15 feathered neighbors, calling for government intervention over what they say is “un-British” treatment.

Protesters demanding freedom for the penguins. Vuk Valcic / SOPA / Lightrocket via Getty ImagesThe company that owns the aquarium says its penguin enclosure meets the standards of modern zoo practice set by the government.

Visitors file past sharks, turtles and tropical fish in big tanks to reach the penguins, housed in a noticeably colder exhibit, built of rocks and artificial snow cliffs that hover over a pool of water.