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Threat and protection

A newborn seal, killed by a poacher; the young seals are only killed for their white pelt.

Newborn seals are threatened because they have a nice, white pelt. Hunters kill them by beating them with sticks on their head. Organisations like Greenpeace try to protect those helpless animals. They bring volunteers to the ice where newborns are and with paint they make the white pelt worthless, so there is no need anymore for hunters to kill those animals. In Holland, all kinds of seals are protected animals.

Mother and child: how long together?

Another big threat for seals is the pollution of the sea. To reduce the pollution of the seawater, De Waddensea is an international accepted wildlife area. Some parts of the year it isn't allowed to sail the waters or recreate there. Industry is also forbidden, although the Dutch Natural Gas Company keeps trying to get permission to get natural gas from the seabed of De Waddensea. So far, protectors of nature have been able to hold off those plans.

Medical care for the seal

In the Netherlands are nowadays several places where weakened seals can be brought to. Not only weakened by pollution, also newborns who lost their mother, the so-called Howlers, can be brought to the most wellknown seal sanctuaries. There they will get medical care and, if possible, brought back to sea after their recovery.

Children, helping with bringing recovered seals back to sea.

Zeehondencreche Pieterburen (seal sanctuary Pieterburen) in the province Groningen is one of the most wellknown seals hospitals. Lenie 't Hart (on photo in front, with seal) and her team rescued many seals from death.

Another organisation in Holland is EcoMare on the island Texel; see map below how you can reach that sanctuary.	A theme parc for dolphins and seals is Dolfinarium in Harderwijk. They also have the capabillity to rescue seals from death.

Visitors since January 2, 1998: Last modified January 2, 1998

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