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A VISIT TO THE SCARBOROUGH SEA-LIFE AND SEAL RESCUE CENTRE Text
and photographs by David Marshall Background We all know what it is
like to have a major tourist attraction that, although literally on our doorstep,
we love to visit but, in reality, rarely do. For me this is the Scarborough Sea-Life
and Seal Rescue Centre. Now before we go any further we will mention that,
at the current time, the Sea-Life people are running a brilliant discount offer,
in conjunction with local Tourist Information Centres, that offer the chance,
as I did for this visit, to obtain entrance tickets at a greatly reduced price. Location The
Scarborough Sea-Life Centre is located to the north of the Town at Scalby Mills.
As Sue always mentions this is the most picturesque area of the Scarborough seafront
and if you choose a fine day the views across the North Sea and over North Bay
towards the Castle headland can be stunning. The Centre itself is composed
of several pyramid-shaped little buildings and is very eye-catching.
| | The
Sea-Life building. | View over North
Bay |
The exhibits When I was last here the
exhibits were more or less a 50/50 split between native marine and tropical marine
displays, with a couple of freshwater displays thrown into the mix, so I would
find a great change, as the Centre, as we shall see, has moved with current trends. At
the time of my visit, mid-December 2011, Sea-Life technical advisors and work
crews were busy putting the finishing touches to a new exhibit, now open, to be
called 'Octopuses Garden'. Because of this work visitors were re-routed around
the existing exhibits. After some thought I decided it would be best to look at
the exhibits in the order they were presented on that day. So my visit began
in an area dedicated to Pipefish and their close relatives. The Pipefish and Seahorse
exhibits are very interesting but it is the central display that leaves you amazed.
This beautifully aquascaped display is home to a Green Weedy and a Brown Weedy
Seadragon. These exquisite creatures look like bunches of grapes that have been
threaded onto a line of delicate cotton. As they moved around the exhibit I was
entranced by both their grace and beauty. Understandably this was a 'strictly
no photography' zone. 'Crab Kingdom' comes next and here two large Japanese
Spider Crabs are shown to full effect against a background of Kelp. There is also
a lovely touch pool where you can see our 'local' crabs and other creatures from
around our shores.
Now I found myself in 'Turtle
Sanctuary'. This amazing walk-through tunnel is home to a rescued Hawksbill Turtle
and although this lovely creature is in great health it has long-term injuries
that mean it could never be returned to the wild. As companions there are a wonderful
assortment of beautifully coloured tropical marine fishes that include large Black-tip
Reef Sharks, plate-looking Batfish, amazing Damsels and tiny Cleaner Wrasse. At
the time of my visit this area was quiet so I had the chance to sit and watch
the amazing activity going on around me.
| | An
aquatic 'Little & Large' | Black-tip
Reef shark |
Now directional arrows took me
upstairs and into 'The Rainforest'. This beautifully decorated area has been well
thought out. The first three exhibits are interesting tropical marine displays
with living coral. There were some fantastic Clownfish to be seen.
| | The
Rainforest' | One of three living
coral exhibits. |
Once inside the forest there
are five large aquaria that are home to freshwater Turtles. Four of these species
are housed alone but the Fly River Turtle must be well-behaved as in with him
are the only tropical freshwater fish at the Centre - a beautiful shoal of large
Tiger Barbs. As a 'bonus' you can view the 'Turtle Sanctuary' exhibit from
above. The café area is also situated here.
| |
Red-bellied Terrapin. | A beautiful
Long-necked Turtle |
Back downstairs now as
we come face-to-face with the 'Viking Ray Pool'. On the viewing platform, they
have built the stern of a Viking longship and standing inside this you really
think you are at sea. In the large pool below you are native marine Rays, Mackerel,
Bream and Lobsters. If you catch 'feeding time' you are given a pair of safety
gloves and can feed the inhabitants on tiny pieces of squid. I declined the opportunity
but had great fun watching those brave souls who dared to do so.
| | The
Ray Pool | Visitors hand feeding the
occupants. |
.
'Jellyfish' follow.
Displayed over four exhibits are Upside-down, Moon, Compact and Lagoon Jellyfish.
To me this was the most disappointing area as the exhibits looked as though they
needed a little refreshing. However, the 'Great Barrier Reef' exhibits more
than made-up for this as they are absolutely stunning. The first of these exhibits
is glorious and here a large aquarium is home to an array of fish that include
Bluestripe Snapper, Blue-spotted Stingray, Fingerfish and Yellow Tang. Next comes
a display mixing Lionfish with Moray Eels. The Nemo exhibit has all of the favourites
from the Disney movie. The Yellow Clownfish next door were busy cleaning spawning
sites. Set against a coral background you now find an exhibit featuring Flame
Angelfish, Silver Blenny and Black Sea Urchins. However, my favourite was a community
of Blackhead Yellow Arrow Gobies. As they fell and tumbled over each other their
gymnastic abilities had me enthralled.
| | Nemo
display. | The beautiful coral aquarium
|
| Blackhead
Yellow Arrow Gobies |
Now we move outside.
On what was a nice winter's day a pair of Asian Otters were playing around in
their beautifully furnished enclosure. The PRO for the Centre was watching their
antics and told me that these two characters were the only Scarborough residents
wanting snow, as in the bad winter of 2010 they had wanted to stay out all day
playing with a substance they would not normally encounter in the wild.
A display area that is
home to 14 Humboldt Penguins follows. Because of the fencing that is needed to
keep local foxes out it is not always easy to get a good view of, and photograph,
these lovely flightless birds.
At the time of my visit the Seal
Rescue Centre was home to two seal pups,( one originating from Tyneside and the
other from 'down the road' at Whitby) that had become stranded on beaches and
then attacked by dogs. Thankfully, both seals were making a good recovery and
would later be released back into the wild. Finally comes 'Seal Rock'. Here
five Common Seals that had injuries that prevented their return to the wild live
in luxury. However, they do serve a conservation purpose as they are used as a
'foster pack' to get rescued seals that can be returned back to the wild used
to seeing and hearing the sounds of other seals before 'going home'. Now I was
wearing a blue Aquarian top on the day of my visit so, as you can see from the
photographs, the seals associated this with the same coloured tops worn by the
Staff so, thinking that I had food to offer, they came very close to the front
of the viewing area. I was so grateful to get this photographic opportunity.
Conclusion Although
I was a little sad to see the exhibits here moving so far away from the displaying
of native marine species I had a wonderful time. There are some wonderful exhibits
to view in what is a well looked after Centre. I will have a little 'moan'
about the gift shop area as it orientates towards the market of School parties
but this is a common trend of most tourist attractions these days. On a
final note I will not wait as long to make my next visit.
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