Family of penguins moving in next to London Eye
The coldest and most inhospitable place on earth is set to be recreated in central London - as a home for a family of penguins.
The Sea Life London Aquarium is bringing the distinctive gentoo penguins to its base near the London Eye to add to its more familiar cast of sharks, turtles and sting rays. The aquarium has worked with experts from the British Antarctic Survey to recreate a South Pole research centre.
From late spring, visitors will be able to see the penguins, easily recognisable by the wide white stripes on their heads, alongside other Antarctic creatures such as spider crabs. Interactive features will include looking at the world through snow goggles and a penguin-viewing ice cave.
Adult gentoos reach a height of 51cm to 90cm, making them the largest penguins after the two giant species, the Emperor Penguin and the King Penguin.
The arrival of the gentoos comes as London Zoo prepares a new attraction, dubbed Penguin Beach, which will allow the number of its penguins to increase from 40 to 150.