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Welcome to our News Update for Autumn 2023, if you are visiting the Hunstanton SEA LIFE, don´t forget to purchase your entrance tickets in advance.
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Common Seal Pup Rescue Season!
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Rubicon was rescued on the 23rd of June 2023 from Snettisham beach and Nesquik on 29th of June 2023 from Heacham beach. The pups spent approximately 2 months in the hospital being cared for, they slowly built up their strength thanks to the intensive care of the Animal Care Team to the point when they were ready to be moved to the outside recovery pool.
During their time in the recovery pool, they learnt to swim in deeper water, gain more muscle strength and understand that you have to fight to catch a fish.
On 3rd October 2023, the rescued common seal pups had completed their rehabilitation and reached their target weights of over 25kg+ and received their final health checks, this meant there were ready to be released back into the wild. The Animal Care Team put the two pups in stretchers and with extra volunteers, released them from a local beach. Click here to see a selection of photos of their release. Also you will find more photos on the Flickr Account.
Click here to watch a short video of their release.
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Happy Halloween from SEA LIFE´s Scooby and Gang! ??
The Hunstanton Team were well into the Halloween Spirit on 31st of October, did you go along and say hello for some spooky goings on!
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Did you know....The Common 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. Common Seals prefer hauling out on sand banks and gently shelving rocky, shingle or sandy beaches.
Click here to see a larger version of these selection of photos below of the resident common seals, Callie, Amber, Sally, Lora, Pippa and Macey.
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Did you know....The long stiff hairs on the otter´s coat, known as guard hairs, are coated with oil which repels water. Underneath the guard hairs, closer to the skin, the otter has a dense layer of warm fur which keeps them warm whether on dry land or swimming underwater.
Click here to see a larger version of these selection of photos below of the resident Otters, Twix and Summer.
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Did you know...In the water Humboldt Penguins cruise at a speed of around 5 miles per hour, rising to 10 mph if they are hunting or fleeing predators.
Click here to see a larger version of these photo below of the Humboldt Penguins and Inca Terns.
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We went to check out the local Seals near Hunstanton on 3rd October 2023, by booking a boat trip to view the seals with Searles Sea Tours on sand banks in the Wash!
Click here to see a selection of photos of the seals in the wild via flickr.
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| Grey Seal Pupping Season!
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The grey seals pups season is normally between October and March, if you are visiting the coast around Norfolk, you may well see pups, can we remind you that they may look cute, but they have sharp teeth that carry harmful bacterial.
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| If you find a Seal in the Wild
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For over 34 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Click here to download Hunstanton SEA LIFE´s leaflet for 2023
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VIP Experience feeding the Resident Seals
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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.
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This news update has been put together by volunteers/supporters of the Hunstanton SEA LIFE.
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