Hel is one of the country's unique places that crowds of tourists visit yearly. In addition to numerous natural wonders, it is home to Poland's only Seal Rehabilitation Centre, which is part of the Prof. Krzysztof Skóra Marine Station of the Department of Oceanography and Geography at the University of Gdańsk.
The station is commonly associated with the part intended for permanent seal residents, commonly referred to as the seal sanctuary. Currently, its residents are grey seals: Bubas, Fok, Ewa, Unda Marina and Ania. They can be observed live and there is also a public feeding twice a day, during which the resident seals take part in special medical training. The training, although an attraction for visitors, is primarily aimed at assessing the health of the seals and getting them used to routine examinations - the animals are never forced to do anything, let alone punished, and their welfare is always the focus of the Station's staff.
For many years, the centre also ran a grey seal recovery programme in the southern Baltic Sea. Puppies were released into the wild to rebuild and then strengthen the seal population, which had been completely depleted in this part of the Baltic in the first half of the 20th century due to excessive hunting. The released animals were fitted with transmitters to collect information on wild individuals. The programme also provided a better understanding of the reproductive biology of these remarkable marine mammals. Seals at the Station no longer breed, as the Baltic population is now doing well in the wild. Among the animals born at the centre is a seal that is a descendant of Balbina - the most famous, because it was the first seal in Hel, with whom the whole project of creating a seal sanctuary began, initiated and led by Prof. Krzysztof Skóra - then head and now patron of the Station.
In addition to the parts of the seal sanctuary open to the public, there are also closed areas at the Station where only staff and volunteers have access. During a recent visit to Hel, we were able to take a peek behind the scenes and visit the kitchen and medical facilities, as well as the seal hospital, where animals in need of help are temporarily housed, to be eventually returned to the wild. This was possible because the hospital section was empty - not atypical at this time of year, as the centre mainly receives baby seals that have been separated from their mothers too early or have not done well enough in their early days of independent living.
Our visit began with the ‘seal kitchen’, where raw fish or fish soups are prepared for the seals under the care of the centre's convalescent patients. Seals are most often found here based on reports from beach walkers. People who spot seals in poor condition on the beach are asked to send photos or videos so that the caretakers can assess whether help is actually needed. If a seal is spotted nearby, the keepers personally come to the site, and in other cases the WWF Blue Patron provides support. ‘The number of animals coming to us each year varies. Last year we took in 36 seals, but two years ago there were more than 80, which is still a record,’ shares one of the animal keepers.
Next to the ‘seal kitchen’ is the inner part of the hospital, where the animal's health is carefully assessed, and further on there is a part of the hospital dedicated to seals in serious condition that need rehabilitation. There are both swimming pools and dry areas where the animals are housed depending on their state of health. It is very important to ensure that the seals are comfortable and at the right temperature, especially as those that arrive at the centre often do not yet have a sufficient layer of fat to thermoregulate effectively.
Next, we visited the isolation rooms, which are the outer part of the hospital. They have both a water and a dry zone, and water can be pumped directly from the sea. This is important because salt water significantly aids recovery in seals. During months such as March and April, when it can be very cold, it is particularly important to provide adequate heating, which is done by means of special lamps.
Another highlight of our visit was the pool where the seals stay when they are improving and almost ready to return to the wild, called the ‘nursery’ by the Station staff. It is interesting to note that each seal has its own unique personality. Some prefer to stay in a group, while others feel more comfortable in solitude. However, even seals that make friends at the centre rarely continue these relationships in the wild. ‘It is important to remember that seals do not treat each other humanely and do not develop lasting friendships,’ the keeper explains.
Minimising contact between rehabilitated seals and humans is key - both so that they can remain independent after release and to reduce the stress of human interaction, which can delay their healing process. Keepers try to carry out all necessary tasks quickly and efficiently, keeping contact to a minimum.
The Prof. Krzysztof Skóra Marine Station is not only a place for the rescue and rehabilitation of seals, but also an important research and education centre. Keepers are keen to share interesting facts about their charges, such as the fact that seals can hold their breath underwater for up to 30 minutes while sleeping, and can live for more than 40 years under the right conditions.