‘Seal Week’
31st October 2006

The Environmental Heritage Service and Exploris Aquarium bring you 'Seal Week'. An interactive fun week for schools and families to promote the valuable work undertaken by Exploris Staff, to the biodiversity of Strangford Lough through the rescue and rehabilitaion programme @ Exploris - The Northern Ireland Aqaurium + Seal Sanctuary.

'Seal Week'
November 11th – 19th

Exploris – The Northern Ireland Aquarium and Seal Sanctuary, has been rehabilitating sick or injured seals from all over the country and as far afield as Cork and the Isle of Mann, since 1989. Last season was the busiest season to date, as 25 seals found themselves needing the care and attention offered by Exploris Seal Rehabilitation officer – Tania Singleton and her colleagues. This season looks likely to supercede that number already!

Its Grey Seal pupping season at present and Exploris currently has nine seals in the quarantine pens and seal ponds. The theme for this seasons seal names is 'Finding Nemo' and currently Exploris hosts Bruce, Bubbles, Marlin, Anchor, Gurgle, Chum, Gill, Coral and Tad. Tad is the 200th seal rescued by Exploris to date, and Chum visits us from the Isle of Mann.

Strangford Lough – A marine nature reserve and site of specific scientific interest is an important habitat for common seals in Ireland, and recent years have witnessed a decline in their population. Common seals are born between June and July. Grey seals, which are born between October and November, are less under threat.

Seal week will take visitors on the journey of the seal from rescue to release. Interactive events and activities will be running throughout. Activities for schools will run from Mon - Fri including behind the scenes tours. At weekends, visitors can view a photographic exhibition of seals in the wild from photographer Stephen Westcott and listen to regular rescue to release presentations from our seal rehabilitation officer.

Seal feeding demonstrations take place at four O'clock daily, and discovery pool demonstrations run at regular intervals throughout the day. Children's activities include seal finger puppet making, seal badges and art activities. For the perfect present this Christmas, visitors can find out how to adopt a seal and help support Exploris' rehabilitation programme.

For opening times and admission prices, please visit Tel: 028 42 72 8062, fax: 028 42 72 8396 or email info@exploris.org.uk

- Ends -

For further information please contact
Exploris’ Events and Marketing Officer Rory Martin – 028 42 72 80 62

Note to Editors:
1. Exploris is a fully accessible Ards Borough Council tourism facility.
2. Children under four go free!
3. Pictures attached are Exploris Costume Character and Mascot ‘Niel the Seal’ with visiting children and ‘Bubbles’ – a common seal from Minerstown.

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