Penguin ice-skating event cancelled after animal welfare backlash

Event was called ‘cruel’ and ‘exploitative’ by number of organisations

‘Humboldt penguins belong in cold water and on the rocky islands off the coast of South America, not on a skating rink in London,’ tweeted Peta (Queens Skate Dine Bowl)

An event in which members of the public could ice-skate alongside penguins has been cancelled following a backlash from animal rights groups.

Queens Skate Dine Bowl in Bayswater, west London, offered customers the opportunity to meet five Humboldt penguins in aid of Penguin Awareness Day and to help raise money for Bird Life, an organisation dedicated to conservation.

It was planned that the penguins would take centre stage of the rink, in their own purpose-built pen.

However, a number of animal welfare groups, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), World Animal Protection UK and Born Free Foundation, raised concerns about the event when it was announced.

“Using penguins to draw in paying customers is cruel and unthinking,” Peta wrote on Twitter.

“Humboldt penguins belong in cold water and on the rocky islands off the coast of South America, not on a skating rink in London.

“Forcing them to endure the stress of being hauled around and then let loose in an unfamiliar environment – with hordes of strangers – can only leave these sensitive animals confused, stressed, and petrified.”

The Born Free Foundation added: “@Queens_London Ice skating with live penguins is a terrible, exploitative idea, even if profits go to charity.

“The best thing for #PenguinAwarenessDay is to cancel this event.”

On Saturday, Queens Skate Dine Bowl announced it was cancelling the event.

A statement on the venue’s Twitter page said: “Sadly due to the concerns raised by various animal protection groups including Peta & Freedom for Animals – we have had to cancel the event in the interests of the penguins & our guests.

“We thank those who shared our excitement about this event – your tickets will be refunded in the next 48 hours.”

It also added that the event was “intended as a non-profit, educational and accessible experience” with the aim of increasing awareness and education about penguins.

Despite cancelling, organisers have still been criticised for expressing their disappointment at having to withdraw without offering an apology for putting the event on in the first place.

“Poor decision in the first place and a marked lack of apology that you needed to be held account on social media for such a mistake. Still #boycottQueensLondon,” one person wrote on Twitter.

Another added: “I’m thankful you’ve cancelled but this tweet shows that despite everything, fundamentally you still don’t understand why it was wrong which is a real shame.”