Seehundstation Friedrichskoog

Eurofurence is overjoyed to tell you all about this year's official charity: Seehundstation Friedrichskoog. This marks the first time Eurofurence’s charity efforts deal with aquatic life!

This seal rescue station was founded in 1985 to support the existing seal rescue efforts in Büsum, both located in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein along the North Sea coast. Things started small with two pools providing almost nature-like conditions and a small exhibition area. Today, the seal rescue boasts larger pools where the permanent residents can swim and enjoy life as well as vastly expanded facilities to care for the many sick, injured or abandoned seal pups found along the coast every year.

Waves of work

If you combine all permanent employees, part timers and volunteers, you get over 30 people keeping the Seehundstation Friedrichskoog going year-round. Seehundstation Friedrichskoog is one of only two rescues keeping watch over the German part of the Wadden Sea (Wattenmeer) - The national park area of the German Wadden Sea measures 3450 km² by itself!

Each pupping season (May-July for harbour seals, November-December for grey seals), seal pups in need of care are brought to the seal rescue around the clock, putting the staff and facilities under great pressure. Caring for the little ones during peak season requires all hands on deck, including employees who don't usually work directly with the seals.

Harbour seal season alone can bring over 300 seal pups to Friedrichskoog across 4 months. Seal pups grow up fast to survive in nature and, if all goes well, can leave the rescue station after about 15 days. Thanks to the highly skilled staff, modern facilities and professional care, over 90% of the pups can happily and healthily go back to the wild.

Forever the Educator

One of the Seehundstation Friedrichskoog's foremost missions is to educate the public. Both staff educators and exhibition areas bring a wealth of information to visitors, with topics ranging from the full life cycle of seals, details on the seal rescue work, and the unique ecosystem of the Wadden Sea. Their teaching efforts also extend to visiting and providing material to schools, and delivering new insights about seals to researchers. One of Seehundstation Friedrichskoog's key goals is to bring their infectious enthusiasm and knowledge about seals to the world - All in order to make a difference for the understanding and protection of life in the Wadden Sea, an ecosystem entirely unique on Earth.