Alongside this video, I wanted to share a little more about what the Tynemouth Seal Hospital do to help sustain the Grey and Harbour seal populations across the north east coast.
The hospital is an entirely volunteer run organisation, operating entirely off of donations with no outside government funding. Despite this, they have one of the highest re-release success rates of any seal rehabilitation centre down this coastline, with 70-80% of their seals being able to be reintroduced to the wild.
Image provided by Alan Harrison
Due to the lack of funding and resources available, there are currently only 5 spaces available at Tynemouth Seal Hospital. Any other injured or ill seals must be transported to Scotland or Scarborough, which is understandably quite stressful for the animals. This is less than ideal, and the team aim to one day raise them money to expand their facility, currently owned by Tynemouth Aquarium.
If you would like to spare any resources to Tynemouth Seal Hospital, click the link here to visit their website and learn more about their conservation.
On Sunday 15th December 2024 the team were able to release Urchin, a Harbour Seal, back into the colony living in the protected space behind St Mary’s Lighthouse, Whitley Bay. An island only accessible at low tide, the haul-out rocks are ideal for the shy seal family.
Luckily, Urchin was a part of their 3/4 success rate for seal releases, which Alan posits go so well due to their separation from the seals in the centre. They aim to feed them from around a corner, not wanting the seals to associated humans with food or safety. “We want them to be aggressive”, he says, in the hopes that they won’t get too close to other humans and dogs that may cause them harm in the wild.
Image provided by Alan Harrison
Image provided by Alan Harrisson
I didn’t know there were seals on the North East omg you are so lucky to see them!! 😭😭🫶🫶