Is it legal or illegal for a private individual to own a penguin as a
domestic pet in England? If it is legal, is any license or documentation
required?

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Clarification of Question by daleg-ga on 26 May 2006 10:11 PDT

Thanks for all the comments so far. "Death and the penguin" is indeed
a great book - it's partly what made me think about having a pet
penguin.

It could be an advantage.

So many places now sport a 'No Dogs' sign but never in my life have I
seen a 'No Penguins' sign.

Wow! Just imaging taking your pet Penguin into a restaurant ...

First you own a penguin, the next thing is that the Ukrianian mafia is after you: 
<http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1860469450/202-4165475-2567821> 

Highly recommended book.

The relevant legislation is likely to be The Dangerous Wild Animals
Act 1976. I opened http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/gwd/animallist.pdf
and searched for 'penguin' and could not find it however that is not
conclusive without a detailed reading of the species list. The website
says: If owners are in doubt as to whether animals require licensing,
then Defra advises them to contact their local authority for advice.

There is contact information for the government department at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/gwd/wildact.htm

Have you considered adopting a penguin? There are several places listed at
http://www.safaripark.co.uk/fun/adoption.asp?id=60

You can also adopt gentoo penguins at Edinburgh Zoo, and Falkland
Islands penguins if you want.

Probono has a great suggestion.  Reminds me of the first time I was in
the famous Buena Vista bar in San Francisco and saw a man at the end
of the bar with wallabee (small kangaroo).  Was it drinking Foster's? 
(This is a true story, 1960s.)

A little more seriously:  one consideration could be if the species of
penguin were on the endangered animals list.

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Peter_and_Barbara_Barham/danger.htm

ahahahah what a hilarious question.

Your penguin may not be happy if you just keep one.  THey seem to be
very social creatures.