|
Welcome to our News Update for Winter 2022/23, if you are visiting the Hunstanton SEA LIFE, don´t forget to purchase your entrance tickets in advance.
|
|
Rescued Common Seal Pups for 2022
|
It is always a good day when the Animal Care Team return the rescued seal pups back to the wild where they belong, but at the same time it is a bit emotional saying goodbye after being with them for three months or more.
On the 12th of December 2022 SEA LIFE Hunstanton released their last of the lovely rescued common seal pups back into the wild! Gouda and Emmental were the last 2 pups of the common seal rescue season for 2022 and were successfully released after lots of TLC from the expert Animal Care Team.
Animal Care Team were also joined by Kim, a member of the public, who found Emmental on the beach not far from Hunstanton SEA LIFE when she was in need of rescue, and who has been so kind to regularly visit and keep in touch with the team as Emmental´s rehabilitation has progressed. She helped to release Emmental!
Happy Seal Release Day!
Click here to see larger versions of these photos.
|
In December we went to check on a seal colony at Horsey and Winterton in Norfolk. Click here to see larger versions of these photos taken during our walk along the restricted designated viewing areas of the dunes looking down onto the seal colony.
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.
The below photos were taken with a Canon 5D camera and a 14mm-400mm lens.
|
|
The seal pups can also be easily disturbed and lose their mum, so please keep your distance and help look after our wonderful marine life!
|
Recently Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park´s three common seals, Webb, Sija and Luna, all came for a short holiday in Hunstanton while work was being done to their pool back home.
Their time in Norfolk has flown by and the Weymouth three have made some life long friends with Hunstanton´s resident seals.
Now that Weymouth have finished their work, they are also ready to have more seals, so along with returning Webb, Sija and Luna, the Animal Care Team have also sent resident Tyne to join them! On 13th of December 2022 all 4 were carefully loaded up by expert Animal Care Team ready to make the journey back to Dorset.
Tyne was actually born at Weymouth in 2006, so she´s going back home for Christmas!
It has been a joy caring for Webb, Sija, and Luna, and although everyone will miss Tyne, the team know she´ll be well cared for by the Weymouth friends.
|
|
Discover Sharklife, truth or myth?
|
In a brand new event - please join the staff at SEA LIFE Hunstanton and discover REAL sharks between 17th February and 26th March 2023.
Can you figure out what is truth or myth? Fun for the whole family. Fun activity trail and challenges throughout the aquarium. Enjoy visual games and activities. Get a reward for completion.
Get your tickets here
|
|
The Octonauts returned to SEA LIFE Hunstanton for Christmas!
|
Between 3rd and 31st December 2022 the Octonauts needed your help completing a special Christmas mission??
Did you solve the puzzles around the aquarium???
PLUS...Take cool photos in our festive photo opportunities; Take part in Octonaut themed crafts; Did you win a prize for taking part in the mission?
|
| 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
|
|
VIP Experience feeding 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.
|
|
This news update has been put together by volunteers/supporters of the Hunstanton SEA LIFE.
|
|
