22 August 2023
Your request
This is a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act or alternatively the Environmental Information Regulations.
I wish to request information relating to the penguins at SEA Life London Aquarium. I believe Lambeth should hold such information as it is the zoo licensing authority for the Aquarium.
I would like to know:
1 / The types of information Lambeth holds in relation to the penguins at the Aquarium;
2 / The manner in which it holds the information;
3 / The sources of such information.
Such types of information might include:
a) Information drawn from the categories of disclosure required in applications for zoo licenses, as set out on the Lambeth website ( https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/Business-rates-services-and-licensing/licensing-and-permits/Apply-change-or-pay-for-a-licence/Apply-for-an-animal-licence/zoo-licence):
b) Information drawn from inspections and records held by the Aquarium, again as laid out on the same page on the Lambeth website: "If you get a licence, you ll be inspected regularly to make sure you re following these conditions. You must keep records on animal health, numbers and species, acquisitions, births, deaths (with causes), disposals and escapes."
The manner in which Lambeth holds the information might include: databases, spreadsheets, Word or other documents, paper records, and so on.
The sources of information might include: inspection reports, emails, meeting/call minutes, third-party complaints or feedback, licence applications, and so on.
None of the above is intended to be exclusive.
For the sake of clarity, I am not seeking the information itself, but rather a detailed overview that can inform future requests for information.
Our response
- Information includes the number of penguins, the location that penguins came from (all are captive bred) and the conditions comparable to native conditions.
- The number of all animals held by the aquarium are held on a general stock list which is sent to us via email from the aquarium. This is a PowerPoint document that is shared via SharePoint. We also hold information which is gathered in the inspection reports, the inspections are conducted by The City of London Council (who we contract) and are then sent to Lambeth Council after the inspection. This document is held as a PDF file. A special inspection was also conducted just on penguins in 2012, this document is held as a Word document.
- The Stocklist information is compiled by the Sea Life Centre. Again the inspection reports, both periodical, midterm and special reports are compiled by the City of London Council.
Please note that inspection reports rarely have breed specific comments.