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Welcome to our News Update for Spring 2024, if you are visiting the Hunstanton SEA LIFE, don´t forget to purchase your entrance tickets in advance.
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Common Seal Pups Rescue of the Season!
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Hunstanton SEA LIFE team received a telephone call on the 19th of May 2024 from a member of the public about a seal pup on the beach at Wells. The caller was concerned about the pup and wanted the experts to check.
Members of the Animal Care Team went to investigate and found a premature common seal pup on the beach. It was decided to bring her in to the seal hospital because her mum was no-where to be found and the pup was much too young to fend for herself.
This pup was born prematurely, less than 48 hours old when rescued with umbilicus still attached and she still had her white coat. Grey Seals still have their white fur when they are born in the winter months, but Common Seal Pups would normally have shed their white fur before they are born.
The Aquarists are closely monitoring the pup, being born so prematurely Sage´s chances of survival were very slim when she was rescued.
It´s incredibly sad to think that she might not have made it if she had gone undiscovered. On arrival at the seal rescue hospital, a full assessment was carried out, she was found to be both underweight and malnourished which was very concerning for the team, the young pup was given electrolytes to rehydrate her.
The team have been feeding her a special blend of fish soup since then, which contains all the nutrients she needs to build her health back up, they are coming to the centre to feed her every three hours throughout the night.
This season´s theme is "Botanicals" and the team have called this common seal pup "Sage".
| Turn up the volume on your phone, laptop, etc., to watch and listen to this cute pup!...So Cute!
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Update - 28th May 2024 : Sage is doing amazingly - the team are so proud of her! She is only just now starting to shed her lanugo bless her! Sage is loves shouting too...haha, she is very vocal! These photos below were taken on 27th of May 2024.
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We have the perfect trail for animal and turtle enthusiasts - join the SEA LIFE team between 27th April and 16th June 2024! Grab a patrol book and take part in the Sanctuary´s rescue mission as you journey around the aquarium.
We have the perfect trail for animal and turtle enthusiasts - join our Turtle Rescue Team!??
- Complete an Official Patrol Book
- Turtley awesome crafts
- Visit Ernie the Green Sea Turtle at our Ocean Tunnel
- Earn a reward for completion
- Pre-book for May Half Term now!
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VIP Experience with Ernie
Get up close with the Green Sea Turtle and meet Ernie, in this turtley awesome VIP Experience
- VIP Experience + SEA LIFE entry for just £60
- Learn all about his diet and nutritional plans
- Discover his unique personality
- Ask any questions to one of our animal care experts
More information and to book your visit, please click on this link to Pre-book for May Half Term now!
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Did you know...Seahorses!
Like lots of marine creatures, seahorses are under threat of extinction. Their homes are being polluted and destroyed. Seahorses can be found in UK waters! There are over 40 different species across the world!
This Yellow Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda) (photo below) lives in sea grass beds and on reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. Millions of seahorses are illegally sold for the curio trade and for use in traditional Asian medicines. The pet trade is also an increasingly large threat. These seahorses are capable of dramatic colour change depending on their surroundings, mood and stress level.
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A new parliamentary petition to "Ban the sale of plastic flying ring toys to help protect seals", was set up on the 16th of April 2024, Seal Alliance members along with many other marine charities and groups are supporting the petition. Please sign the On-line Petition.
All the supporters would be hugely grateful if you would speak in favour of the On-line Petition. Many of the biggest suppliers and retailers of these toys have not responded, even after being told of the dangers these toys pose to seals and requests to only sell solid versions, preferably biodegradable. We therefore feel the only option is a country wide ban. We have also appealed to other supportive MPs. Many thanks for all your ongoing support of the seals and marine life.
***We have PDF poster which we would like you to share with your friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues, etc., this would be massively helpful. Click here to download.***
This petition has been temporarily suspended due to the General Election on the 4th of July 2024.
© Photos Credit - Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust
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| Common Seal Pupping Season!
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The common seals pups season is normally between May and August, 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
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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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