Gently gliding through the water, Witje, a young gray seal at just four months old, briefly stops in front of a large window. From there, she curiously watches the visitors who, on the other side of the glass, admire her silent recovery.
Witje is a survivor: she was rescued after being orphaned, with a swollen flipper and a damaged eye. Currently, she is recovering in one of the nine tanks at the newly inaugurated World Heritage Centre (WEC) in Lauwersoog, in the north of the Netherlands.
This modern marine rescue center replaces the historic Pieterburen Seal Centre, which has been operating since 1971. The WEC focuses on the care of injured or orphaned seals found in the Wadden Sea, a unique ecosystem declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
A growing threat to seals in the Frisian Sea
According to the center’s curator, Sander van Dijk, they receive around 200 seals for treatment each year. Most of them are prematurely separated pups from their mothers, known as howlers due to their distressing cries. Others arrive with injuries caused by boats or marine debris.
“Analyzing our data from the last 15 years, we have observed a sustained increase in seals getting entangled in sea debris, especially fishing nets,” explained Van Dijk to the Associated Press.
In 2024, researchers from Wageningen University estimated that there are about 24,000 seals in the Frisian Sea. Although the population remains stable, the increase in human activities in the area represents a constant threat.
A new home for an emblematic species
The World Heritage Centre not only serves as a hospital for marine animals but also as an educational space to raise awareness among the public about the protection of the fragile Wadden Sea ecosystem.
The opening of the WEC, officially open to the public last Saturday, marks a step forward in conservation efforts in the region. Its mission is clear: to provide a second chance to injured seals and raise awareness about the human impact on the oceans. Witje, with her slow swim and attentive gaze, is now the living symbol of that hope.
What is the conservation status of the gray seal?
The gray seal is classified as “least concern” by the IUCN, meaning it is not endangered, but is vulnerable. While the species has experienced significant recovery in recent decades, the IUCN acknowledges that some local populations may be threatened by factors such as pollution, habitat loss, and climate change.
Details on conservation status
- Population: It is estimated that there are around 650,000 gray seals worldwide, mainly in the North Atlantic.
- Threats: The IUCN identifies pollution (especially plastics), coastal habitat loss, climate change, and human interference (such as hunting and bycatch) as potential threats.
- Legal Protection: The gray seal is protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act in the United States. It is also protected in the UK under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970.
- Recovery: The species has experienced a notable population increase, mainly due to legal protection and hunting bans.
In summary, the gray seal is not endangered, but continued monitoring and protection of these populations is necessary to mitigate potential threats and ensure their long-term survival.
Source: AP.
