Chris Packham joined campaigners calling for the release of 15 penguins kept in what he called ‘hideous’ conditions at the Sea Life London Aquarium on Sunday.

The naturalist was part of the Free The Fifteen protest, which saw as many as 300 people rally against keeping 15 penguins in captivity at the Westminster attraction.

The aquarium opened its first penguin exhibit in May 2011, introducing 10 gentoo penguins from Edinburgh Zoo. The animals ‘have now endured 14 years in a basement’ with a pool of only six to seven feet deep, campaigners said.

A spokesperson for the Sea Life London Aquarium said in a statement on Sunday the penguins’ habitat was ‘designed with help and advice from specialist vets.’ They added: ‘It provides an excellent balance of water and land for the penguins which

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