Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre
The Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre is a coastal animal attraction in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, England, dedicated to rehabilitating sick and injured seals. It also houses a variety of other animals, including exotic species and rescued native British wildlife, and features educational zones with fossils and exhibits on extinct animals.
Key Facts
- ›Founded in 1974 as the Animal and Bird Garden, later renamed Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre in 2013.
- ›Located in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, England, near the Donna Nook seal breeding colony.
- ›Focuses on rehabilitating sick and injured seals, many of which are young born at Donna Nook.
- ›Houses a diverse range of animals including gibbons, meerkats, birds of prey, rescued native wildlife, and exotic species.
- ›Features educational 'Time Walking' and ice age zones with fossils and exhibits on extinct megafauna and animals extinct in Britain.
- Time Walking zone (fossils of dinosaurs and extinct megafauna)
- Ice age themed zone (exhibits on extinct British animals)
Seals
Seal Rehabilitation, Rescue of Native British Wildlife
About Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre
The Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre, commonly known as Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary, is an animal attraction situated in the coastal town of Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, England. Established in 1974, it began as the Animal and Bird Garden, a relocation from Suffolk after an earlier site was flooded. The centre is primarily dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick and injured seals, many of which are young animals born at the nearby Donna Nook seal breeding colony.
Beyond its core focus on seals, the Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre offers visitors a diverse range of animal encounters. The attraction houses other rescued native British wildlife alongside exotic species, including gibbons, meerkats, and various birds of prey. This variety makes it a comprehensive destination for observing and learning about different forms of wildlife.
Adding an educational dimension, the centre features distinct zones designed to engage visitors with natural history. The 'Time Walking' zone showcases fossils of dinosaurs and other extinct megafauna, such as Allosaurus and Mosasaur. Another area is themed around the ice ages, highlighting animals that have become extinct in Britain since that period, with exhibits featuring species like the Eurasian lynx. The site also includes visitor amenities such as a café and a gift shop, and is open for ten months of the year with a fee for admission.
Historically, the site of the sanctuary served various purposes before its establishment as an animal attraction, including a Second World War look-out point, a firing range, and a campsite. The sanctuary's work with seals was notably supported by a significant appeal in the Daily Mail in 1988, which raised funds to address an outbreak of phocine distemper virus. The facility expanded with the opening of a dedicated Seal Hospital in 1990. In 2013, the attraction officially changed its name to the Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre to reflect its broader scope. The centre has also faced challenges, including a fire in September 2016, after which its Education Room was successfully reopened in February 2017.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre open?
The attraction opened to the public in 1974, initially under the name Animal and Bird Garden. It received its first seal in the same year.
What is the primary mission of the Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary?
The sanctuary's primary mission is to rehabilitate sick and injured seals. It is located near the Donna Nook seal breeding colony, and many of the rescued animals are young seals born there.
What other animals can be seen at the Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre?
Visitors can also see gibbons, meerkats, and birds of prey. The centre accommodates much rescued native British wildlife as well as exotic species.
Does the centre have any special educational exhibits?
Yes, the attraction features a 'Time Walking' zone with fossils of dinosaurs and other extinct megafauna, and an area themed around the ice ages, showcasing animals that have become extinct in Britain since then, such as the Eurasian lynx.
Has the sanctuary experienced any significant events?
The sanctuary received significant support from a Daily Mail appeal in 1988 to combat an outbreak of phocine distemper virus. The Seal Hospital opened in 1990, and the Education Room was rebuilt and reopened in February 2017 following a fire in September 2016.
Related Zoos
Banham Zoo
Banham Zoo is a 50-acre zoological garden located in Banham, Norfolk, England, that opened to the public in 1968. It is part of the Zoological Society of East Anglia, a registered charity, and is known for its extensive collection of monkeys and its award-winning status as Norfolk's Top Attraction.
The Living Rainforest
The Living Rainforest is an indoor tropical rainforest ecological and educational center located in Hampstead Norreys, Berkshire, England. It features three glasshouses replicating different rainforest environments and aims to educate visitors, particularly school children, about tropical ecosystems and conservation. The center is operated by the Trust for Sustainable Living and is open seven days a week.
WWT Slimbridge
WWT Slimbridge is a renowned wetland wildlife reserve and research centre located in Gloucestershire, England, established by artist and naturalist Sir Peter Scott. It serves as the headquarters for the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and is celebrated for its extensive collection of wildfowl and significant contributions to bird research and conservation, including pioneering methods for identifying individual birds.