Back Welcome to our News Update for August 2022, if you are visiting the Hunstanton SEA LIFE, don´t forget to purchase your entrance tickets in advance. Rescued Common Seals Pups 2022 Meet the latest rescued seal pup, Brie, who arrived at the seal hospital on 30th July 2022. This approx. one month old female seal pup was rescued from Holme beach after being found alone, dehydrated and clearly unwell due to the large amount of swelling on her face. She was lifted by British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) medics and taken to Coastal vets for an assessment where it was found that she had lesions inside her mouth. This is not uncommon at the end of the common seal pupping season to find and sadly can often end the lives of several pups, however, hopefully Brie has been lucky enough to have been found early on in her illness and stands a good chance of being successfully rehabilitated. These photos below of Brie were taken on 8th August 2022 in the hospital. Great news Wensleydale, Applewood, Blue Cheese and Camembert have had their first swim in the brand new outdoors seal pups pool on 8th August 2022 when they were moved from the hospital. These four pups will probably be ready to be released back out into the wild in no more than a month or so time. It just depends on how quickly they gain weight as they are now in a very deep pool which is great but it means they are going to be exercising a lot more than in the smaller pens in the hospital. They will all lose a bit of weight but then it will start packing on again. The last step to their recovery is to go into a deeper pool so that they can exercise and live more like a normal seal. In here all of the seal pups will learn social skills and can be fed in a way that is much more natural. As the seals were found so young, it´s likely that they had never been in the sea before so it was the first day they got to experience the freedom of the water.   Click here to read the press release. Come and join Peppa Pig by the seals pool for "Meet & Greet" sessions during Summer 2022! Times: 11.15am-11.30am; 12.15pm-12.30pm and 2.15pm-2.30pm (Mondays to Fridays only) - August 2022 New for 2022 - Summer and Twix, Asian Short-Clawed Otters, are continuing to enjoy their new home. Click here to see a larger version of this and further photos. Did you know...The Asian Short-Clawed Otter is the smallest otter species - only about the size of a domestic cat. The largest otter is the giant South American otter, which may be up to 10 times heavier! Did you know...The Humboldt Penguins endearing and sometimes comical creatures come from the coasts of Chile and Peru where there are estimated to be fewer than 10,000 pairs still surviving. Colonies like these may one day provide a vital lifeline for this endangered species. Their disappearance would certainly be a tragic loss to the animal kingdom. The Inca tern (Larosterna inca) is a tern in the family Laridae. It is the only member of the genus Larosterna. This uniquely plumaged bird breeds on the coasts of Peru and Chile, and is restricted to the Humboldt Current. The common seals (also known as harbour seals) are smaller than grey seals and their coats are more extensively spotted. Their facial features are also different, with snub noses and nostrils that form a "V" shape. Click here to see a larger version of these photos of some of the resident seals. Did you know you can feed the six resident Common Harbour Seals at SEA LIFE Hunstanton? In this VIP Experience, you will get to feed the seals their fishy feed with a member of the animal care team on hand to assist you and answer any questions you might have. You´ll get to learn all about the seals, their diets and habitats but be careful they like to splash! For more information please click here and to book your VIP Experience. Puffer fish have the ability to inflate their bodies with water or air as a warning to predators. Habitat : Costal reefs; Diet : Sea urchins, molluscs and crustaceans; Size : Up to 90cm; Range : Indo Pacific Ocean. We are sure this Puffer fish is smiling at the camera. Cuvier´s Dwarf Caimen Crocodiles (Paleosuchus Palpebrosus) are at threat from deforestation, pollution, hunting and collection for the pet trade. Conservation status - Population numbers are strong and abundant. Caimans likes to eat crustaceans, fish and small birds. They can grow up to 1.6 metres in size! Habitat - Fast flowing freshwater rivers and streams, flooded forests, and large lakes in South America. Late Summer Beach Clean Join some of the Hunstanton SEA LIFE staff on Friday 2nd September 2022 at 6pm to take part in the public beach clean. Staff will be meeting in the Old Hunstanton beach car park near the walkway down to the beach. Gloves and bags will be provided so you just need to turn up! ***Click here to find out more.*** If you find a Seal in the Wild For over 33 years Hunstanton SEA LIFE has been rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing seal pups from the North Sea coastline and beyond that find themselves in trouble, whether it be eye problems, respiratory infections and malnourishment to broken bones, pollution-related problems and being separated from their mother too soon. A quick reminder that if you discover a seal pup that is in distress or alone, please call the Hunstanton SEA LIFE on 01485 533576 and/or the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) team on 01825 765546. The Animal Care Team are on call around the clock to race to the rescue of seal pups in trouble anywhere around the coast. DO keep your distance; DON´T attempt to handle or touch the pup; DON´T attempt to put the pup back in the sea; DON´T ignore the situation; DO tell the appropriate organisation. When you ring, please be prepared to give an exact location of the seal, your contact details, what condition is the seal in for example is it alone, thin, injured or seems unwell (noisy breathing, coughing, runny nose). Tell people around you to keep clear of the seal by at least 50 metres, if you can, draw a circle in the sand around the pup. Remember most often seals come out of the water on to land to rest, digest after eating their food, relax and sleep. What to do if you find a dead seal on beach! If you come across a dead seal, the advice is not to touch or go near it, please call West Norfolk council on 01553 616200. If you find a stranded living marine animal, please call the SEA LIFE Sanctuary on 01485 533576 and/or the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) team on 01825 765546. Souvenir Guide Books Here are the front covers of the Sanctuary´s Guide book. If during your next visit you purchase a copy, the profits go towards the care of the rescued seal pups in the hospital. Click here to download Hunstanton SEA LIFE´s leaflet for 2022 This news update has been put together by volunteers/supporters of the Hunstanton SEA LIFE Sanctuary.

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