Seal Centre Pieterburen is holding a special auction of unique, nostalgic and practical items from the centre. The auction closes on Friday 24 October at 2 p.m., and interested parties can view the items in person today during the viewing day in Pieterburen (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.).

The auction offers enthusiasts and former visitors a unique opportunity to acquire a piece of the Seal Centre's history. Among the lots are the boat and lighthouses from the sandpit, grandstand benches from the cinema, furniture from the fish kitchen and all kinds of equipment. 

Second of three auctions 

This auction of household effects is the second in a series of three auctions featuring items from Pieterburen. The Seal Centre previously organised a highly successful auction of tiles from the former seal pools, which raised more than €10,000. Next year, there will be another auction featuring smaller memorabilia and special objects from the rich history of the Seal Centre.  

Proceeds go to seal conservation 

The proceeds from current and future auctions will be used for seal care and protection at the WEC (Wadden Sea World Heritage Centre) in Lauwersoog, where the Seal Centre has continued its important work since relocating. 

Items from everyday work 

‘This auction is different from the previous tile auction: the items are less directly related to the seals themselves and more to the daily work at the seal hospital and visitor centre,’ explains spokesperson Hester de Vries. ‘It's a unique opportunity to take home a piece of that history and at the same time contribute to the future of our seal sanctuary.’ 

Did you know...

Seal Rave, who gained national attention last summer after being discovered at an illegal party in Borgsweer, will be released into the Wadden Sea this Saturday. After an intensive rehabilitation period at the Seal Center, she is ready to return to her natural habitat.

On June 21, 2025, Rave — a newborn seal pup — was found between parked cars at an illegal party in Borgsweer. The police discovered her alone and weakened. She was immediately taken to the WEC (Seal Rescue Center), where she received intensive care. 

Emergency surgery and illness 

During her stay at the center, Rave developed a navel hernia, which required emergency surgery. After a successful procedure, she gradually recovered. She later fell ill, showing symptoms such as sneezing and coughing, but her condition steadily improved. By mid-August, she began eating independently, and since mid-September she has been swimming actively in the large Sea Pool, where visitors can watch her through the underwater viewing window. 

A seal that touched many hearts 

Rave turned out to be special not only to her caretakers but also to the public. Visitors came to the center specifically to see her, and countless messages and emails arrived asking about her well-being. Her story touched many people and highlighted the deep concern and compassion that exist for the welfare of wild animals. 

Release into the Wadden Sea 

Rave’s release will take place on Saturday, October 11. The center is delighted that she can return to her natural environment, but also emphasizes that her rescue might not have been necessary without human interference. Her story underscores the urgent need to treat wild animals and their habitats responsibly, so that situations like this can be prevented in the future. 

Recentelijk is een zeehond gespot in zowel het Merwedekanaal in Utrecht als de Amstel in Amsterdam. Dankzij unieke vlekkenpatronen konden experts van het Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen bevestigen dat het om hetzelfde dier gaat. Hoewel dit een bijzondere gebeurtenis is, is het niet ongebruikelijk dat zeehonden in zoet water worden aangetroffen.

In deze Q&A beantwoorden we veelgestelde vragen over zeehonden in zoet water, hun gedrag, gezondheid en wat je kunt doen als je er een tegenkomt.

Gebeurt het vaak dat zeehonden in zoet water terechtkomen?

Dat een zeehond zo ver landinwaarts zwemt, is bijzonder maar niet uniek. Vroeger kwamen ze vaker in de Nederlandse binnenwateren voor, maar tegenwoordig bemoeilijken waterwerken deze tochten. Hier zie je een lijst van meldingen (niet compleet).

Hoe komt een zeehond terug bij zijn groep?

Zeehonden hebben geen eigen groep. Dit klinkt gek, omdat we ze wel vaak in grote groepen zien liggen. Zeehonden rusten graag, maar niet altijd, op land in groepen. Dit doen ze omdat ze zich dan veiliger voelen. Maar ze hebben geen groep nodig om te rusten.

Hoe komt een zeehond terug bij zijn moeder?

Gewone zeehonden krijgen gemiddeld 24 dagen melk van hun moeder. Deze melk is zo vet dat ze enorm snel groeien en ze klaar zijn om te zwemmen in koud water. De moeder is daarna dan ook zo uitgeput dat ze de pup verlaat en niet meer terugkomt. Zeehonden zijn dus al volledig zelfstandig binnen een maand na geboorte en leren zichzelf jagen, waar te zwemmen en rusten. Vaak zien we dan ook dat jonge zeehonden in deze verkenning nog wel eens op gekke plekken komen, zoals in zoet water.

Heeft een zeehond geen zout water nodig?

In tegenstelling tot bijvoorbeeld vissen heeft de zeehond geen uitwisseling met het water. Zo moet een vis zuurstof uit het water halen om te ademen. Deze uitwisseling kan mede afhankelijk zijn van hoe zout het water is. Zeehonden hebben dit niet, zij ademen uit de lucht en halen hun vocht uit hun prooidieren. Zeehonden drinken geen zeewater. Dat maakt dat zij dus in zoet water ook goed kunnen overleven.

Waarom brengen jullie zeehonden in zoet water niet terug naar zee?

Zeehonden kunnen goed leven in zoet water. Wij mogen en willen alleen ingrijpen wanneer het welzijn van een zeehond in gevaar is, bijvoorbeeld wanneer deze duidelijk in slechte conditie is of in een benarde situatie terecht is gekomen. Tenslotte mogen overheden en terreinbeheerders altijd een beroep op ons doen voor overleg over ingrijpen.

Wat gebeurt er met een zeehond die in zoet water wordt aangetroffen?

Als een zeehond in zoet water wordt aangetroffen en in goede gezondheid verkeert, wordt hij doorgaans met rust gelaten. Alleen als het welzijn van het dier in gevaar is, bijvoorbeeld door ziekte of verwonding, wordt hij opgevangen en verzorgd.

Wat moet ik doen als ik een zeehond in zoet water zie?

Houd altijd minimaal 30 meter afstand en verstoor het dier niet. Als je denkt dat de zeehond hulp nodig heeft, neem dan contact op met het Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen via 0595 526 526.

Researchers at the Seal Centre Pieterburen, now located in the WEC (Wadden Sea World Heritage Centre) in Lauwersoog, have determined that the seal spotted in Utrecht last week and the seal that appeared in Amsterdam yesterday are one and the same animal. They are making an urgent appeal for people to leave the animal alone, especially given the good weather.

The seal was spotted last week in the Merwede Canal in Utrecht and yesterday in the Amstel River near Amsterdam, where it was resting on a pier at Park Somerlust. After detailed investigation, the centre concluded that it was the same seal.

Recognisable by its spotted pattern

‘The spot pattern of a seal is as unique as a fingerprint in humans,’ explains researcher Beatriz Rapado-Tamarit of the WEC/Seal Centre Pieterburen. The researchers at the Seal Centre have years of experience with photo identification of seals, especially in the context of scientific research into mother-pup behaviour in the Dollard.

They use both software and their own analysis for this purpose. This method is completely non-invasive and avoids the need to capture or tag animals, which is important because capture causes a great deal of stress and can alter the seal's behaviour.

Three points of identification required

In this case, it was not possible to use software because the quality of the photographs was not high enough. Therefore, the experts relied entirely on their trained eyes.

“We made two identification cards and carefully placed the photos side by side,” Beatriz explains further. ‘On the left flank, we saw matching white spots, the same markings on the forehead, and two distinctive dark spots on the right side of the neck. According to our protocol, we need at least three clear characteristics on three different parts of the body to confirm that it is the same seal. In this case, everything matched.’

The interactive exhibition at the WEC includes a section devoted to photo identification, where visitors can try to identify and match seal spot patterns themselves.

Urgent call to the public

The Seal Centre urges the public to treat the seal with respect and to keep a sufficient distance (at least 30 metres). For the time being, the animal is in good health and – as long as it is not disturbed – no rescue is necessary. ‘Let's all work together to prevent this,’ emphasises Emmy Venema, stranding coordinator at the WEC/Seal Centre.

The centre is particularly concerned about the crowds now that the good weather is likely to attract many visitors to the park. For this reason, the area around the seal has been temporarily cordoned off with tape and the Seal Centre is in contact with the Amsterdam police. Last night, there was already a report of drunk visitors disturbing the animal.

Seal centre is the only organisation authorised to intervene

The Seal Centre Pieterburen is the only organisation in the Netherlands licensed to take in seals from inland areas. If you have any doubts about the welfare of a seal or if there appears to be an emergency, the Seal Centre urges you to contact them immediately on 0595 526 526.

Special but not unique

It is unusual, but not unique, for a seal to swim so far inland. Seals are well able to adapt to fresh water and feed on freshwater fish without difficulty. They used to be more common in Dutch inland waters, but nowadays waterworks make these journeys more difficult. This makes an encounter such as the one in the Amstel River today quite special. Nevertheless, the Seal Centre receives at least one report of a seal in fresh water every month.

Foto Utrecht (land): Toon Vernooij
Foto Amsterdam (steiger): Thom Pol

Did you know...

Seal Centre Pieterburen, now located in the WEC in Lauwersoog, has received several reports today of a special sighting in the heart of Amsterdam: a seal in the Amstel River. The animal was seen resting on a quay near a park. The Seal Centre is asking people to keep at least 30 metres away from the animal.

Foto’s: Thom Pol

Thanks to clear photographs shared with the Seal Centre by bystanders, it was quickly determined that the seal was a young female common seal (Phoca vitulina).

The same seal as in Utrecht?

It is still unclear whether this is the same animal that appeared in Utrecht last week. Every seal has a unique spot pattern, which allows animals to be identified individually. For this reason, the centre is asking for clear photos from Utrecht so that this can be investigated.

Call for calm and distance

The Seal Centre emphasises the importance of peace and quiet: ‘A seal appearing in the city centre is unusual and naturally attracts attention. However, it is very important that people keep at least 30 metres away and give the animal space to recover,’ says Emmy Venema, stranding coordinator at the WEC/Seal Centre Pieterburen.

Seals in fresh water

Seals are well able to adapt to fresh water. They feed on freshwater fish without difficulty and used to be more common in Dutch inland waters. Nowadays, waterworks make these trips more difficult, making an encounter such as the one in the Amstel quite unique. Nevertheless, the Seal Centre receives at least one report of a seal in fresh water every month.

Seal centre is the only organisation authorised to intervene

Seal Centre Pieterburen is the only organisation in the Netherlands with a licence to take in seals from inland areas. If you have any doubts about the welfare of a seal or if there appears to be an emergency, the Seal Centre urges you to contact them immediately on 0595 526 526.

Subsequently, only specially trained seal guards are permitted to take action, as stipulated in the 2020 Seal Agreement. Emmy: ‘That is why our advice to the public is: admire this special animal from a distance, leave it alone and – only if you are concerned – contact the Seal Centre. In this way, we can work together to ensure that this young animal can also rest safely in the Amstel.’

An auction of tiles from the old seal pools in Pieterburen raised an impressive €10,101. Most of the interest came from Japan, where the centre has built up a real fan base since last year thanks to the popular live streams of swimming seals.

The auction took place on the occasion of the so-called Japanniversary – the one-year anniversary of the unexpected popularity in Japan. It also marks a symbolic moment: the transition from more than fifty years of seal history in Pieterburen to a new chapter in the WEC (Wadden Sea World Heritage Centre) in Lauwersoog.

Tiles with seal scratches from Pieterburen

A total of 45 original swimming pool tiles were auctioned online. These came from the pools of the former seal centre in Pieterburen, where for decades weakened and injured seals were temporarily cared for until they were healthy enough to return to the sea.

What makes the tiles so special? The visible scratches left by seal nails. Each scratch tells the story of an animal that swam in this pool before returning to the sea. It is precisely these marks that make the tiles emotionally valuable objects for fans who want a tangible reminder of their favourite seals.

Great interest: highest bid €505

Interest in the auction was overwhelming, with the majority of bids coming from Japan. Since last year, a loyal fan base has developed there after the centre's live streams went viral. Every day, people in Japan write letters, create fan art, make donations and symbolically adopt seals.

De tegel die het meeste opbracht, kwam uit het binnenbad van het oude centrum: het bassin waar verweesde grijzezeehondenpups voor het eerst mochten zwemmen. Ook tegels uit het grote Golfbad, beroemd geworden door de 24/7 livestream, ontvingen veel hoge biedingen.

Volledig naar het goede doel

“We zijn overweldigd door de betrokkenheid en ontzettend dankbaar voor alle steun,” zegt Hester de Vries van Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen. “Het is mooi om te zien dat mensen zoveel waarde hechten aan een tastbare herinnering aan de tijd in Pieterburen. Zo’n tegel staat voor de zorg die hun favoriete zeehond daar heeft gekregen, een dier dat nu weer ergens vrij rondzwemt in de Waddenzee. Dat maakt het extra waardevol.”

All proceeds will go to seal care at the Seal Centre Foundation Pieterburen, now located at the WEC. ‘More and more seals are ending up in emergency situations due to human activity, for example, disturbance or entanglement. Seal care therefore remains necessary.’

Second round of auction to follow

A second auction round will follow shortly. This was already planned before the first auction went online. Other memorabilia from the old centre will then be auctioned off, including original flags, signs and maps. The proceeds from this auction will also go entirely to seal care.

Precies een jaar geleden ging de livestream van Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen onverwacht viraal in Japan. De Japanse belangstelling is sindsdien onverminderd groot. Ter ere van dit bijzondere jubileum viert het centrum – nu in het WEC (World Heritage Centre Waddenzee) – de eerste ‘Japanniversary’ met een online veiling van Pieterburen–memorabilia, exclusieve posters gemaakt door fans én de presentatie van een boek dat zich afspeelt in het Zeehondencentrum. 

Begin augustus 2024 ontstond een ware hype nadat een Japanse X-gebruiker de livestream van Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen deelde. Wat volgde was een storm aan kijkers vanuit Japan, maar ook andere delen van de wereld: het YouTube-account groeide in korte tijd van 3000 naar 425.000 volgers. De hashtag van het Zeehondencentrum (Azarashi yōchien (アザラシ幼稚園)  werd zelfs uitgeroepen tot een van de buzzwoorden van 2024. 

Japanse zeehondenfans anno 2025 

Tot op de dag van vandaag mag het Zeehondencentrum rekenen op de toewijding van vele Japanse fans. Elke dag wordt er fan art gemaakt, zeehonden worden veelal exclusief geadopteerd door Japanse donateurs en enkele fans vliegen zelfs vanuit Japan naar Nederland om de zeehonden en het Zeehondencentrum met eigen ogen te zien. De fans komen met een koffer vol cadeautjes voor het team en gaan weer weg met veel beeldmateriaal én merchandise van de zeehonden. 

Japanniversary: dank aan de toewijding vanuit Japan  

Als dank voor de ongelooflijke toewijding en medeleven van zoveel fans aan de andere kant van de wereld, organiseert het WEC – het nieuwe thuis van Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen – een speciale week die in het teken staat van het jubileum. De festiviteiten zijn voor iedereen: voor Japanse fans, maar ook alle fans in Nederland en alle andere delen van de wereld. 

Een feestelijk programma voor fans dichtbij en ver weg 

De Japanniversary bestaat uit meerdere bijzondere onderdelen: een veiling, een boekpresentatie en limited edition posters en ansichtkaarten, gemaakt door fans. 

Tegelveiling 
Op veler verzoek gaat donderdag 31 juli het eerste deel van de Pieterburen-veiling online, waarbij men kan bieden op zwembadtegels uit de baden waar hun favoriete zeehond ooit zwom – misschien wel met nagelkrassen. Later dit jaar volgt het tweede deel van de veiling, met andere memorabilia van Pieterburen. Alle opbrengsten gaan naar Stichting Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen. 

Feelgoodroman over Zeehondencentrum 
Susan Muskee, bekend van de geliefde Waddenliefde-serie, komt naar Lauwersoog om haar gloednieuwe roman Alle ogen op Mia te signeren! Wat dit boek extra bijzonder maakt: het verhaal speelt zich grotendeels af in het nieuwe zeehondenziekenhuis in Lauwersoog, waarbij ook de populariteit in Japan een rol speelt. Het boek wordt daarom ook gepubliceerd in Japan, vanaf november dit jaar. 

Voor het schrijven van het boek werkte Susan nauw samen met het team van het WEC en Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen. Daardoor is Alle ogen op Mia niet alleen een heerlijke feelgood, maar ook bijzonder informatief over de wereld van zeehondenzorg. 

Posterwedstrijd 
Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen heeft onlangs een posterwedstrijd gehouden waarbij fans van over de hele wereld posters van zeehonden konden insturen. Drie winnende fanposters – in zeer verschillende stijlen – worden als limited edition uitgebracht en zijn exclusief te koop in de winkel van het WEC. Vanwege de overweldigende kwaliteit van de inzendingen worden er ook drie speciale ansichtkaarten verkocht. Alle opbrengsten gaan naar Stichting Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen. 

Seal pup Rave, who gained national fame two weeks ago after she was found at an illegal party in Borgsweer, is unlucky again. Yesterday afternoon, she had to undergo emergency surgery for an umbilical hernia. Since she was found, Rave has been taken care of at Seal Centre Pieterburen - now located at the WEC in Lauwersoog - where vets were able to intervene immediately.

After her remarkable rescue in Borgsweer, when police found her motherless among partygoers, Rave was given a safe place at the seal hospital in Lauwersoog, where she received intensive care. She was in good condition until her umbilical hernia suddenly worsened yesterday afternoon. When staff saw tissue protruding from her abdominal wall, they immediately decided to perform emergency surgery.

Protrusion of abdominal tissue

An umbilical hernia is a condition in which the opening in the abdominal wall (the umbilical ring) is not completely closed after birth. In Rave's case, the skin was also still open and part of the omentum - a tissue that holds the intestines in place - came out.

During emergency surgery, Rave was put under anaesthesia to properly assess the tissue. Fortunately, no intestines were found to have come out, just the tissue. A damaged part of it was removed; the healthy part was replaced in the abdominal cavity. The abdominal wall was then sutured in layers, so that everything remains safely back in place.

Surgery went well

The operation went well, but the animal's age - estimated at two to three weeks - makes her extra vulnerable. "Because she is so young, surgery can take a lot out of the animal," explained head veterinarian Ana Rubio Garcia. "She will receive medication to prevent infections and pain. We hope, of course, that she will make a full recovery."

Such emergency surgery is not common among pups. Of the more than 40 pups currently receiving care at the centre, Rave is so far the only one in whom this has been necessary. "It is incredibly sad that Rave, after such a bizarre start to her life at an illegal party, now also has to go through this," says WEC spokesperson Hester de Vries. 'We are incredibly relieved that the surgery went well and are doing everything we can to ensure her healthy return to the Wadden Sea."

Rave is in an intensive care unit with two other puppies and is visible to visitors.

Did you know...

During the shutdown of an illegal party on the Otterdunner Pier near Borgsweer in the night from Friday to Saturday, riot police came across an unusual sight among the parked cars: a newborn seal pup. The pup has since been taken in by the Seal Center Pieterburen, now located in the WEC (World Heritage Center Wadden Sea) in Lauwersoog.

In the early morning, the police contacted the Seal Center. At the center’s request, the pup was temporarily moved to a safe location, allowing a seal responder to pick her up. The animal turned out to be only two to four days old and still had her umbilical cord attached.

Disturbing Report

The pup had likely been at the party for several hours. It is suspected that the mother fled due to the noise and commotion. Earlier that night, the animal ambulance received a report from someone concerned about loud partying and a seal pup. However, since the animal ambulance does not handle seals, they advised the caller to contact the Seal Center. Unfortunately, this did not happen.

Smaller Than Average

The pup is a female and has been named Rave. She is currently being cared for in the seal hospital. Without its mother’s milk, a pup this young would not survive in the wild. That’s why she’s now being fed a salmon-based formula at the center to support her growth. Weighing just 7.2 kilograms, Rave is smaller than average—most seal pups are born weighing around 9 kilos.

The coming weeks will be all about rest, recovery, and growth—just like for every newborn seal in rehabilitation. Rave is expected to stay at the center for about two to three months, until she is strong enough to return to the wild.

Once Again, Human Impact

Rave is not the first pup this year to end up in the center due to human activity. Several pups currently in care were disturbed by beachgoers or dogs. In one case, a pup was even taken into a car by people before they contacted the Seal Center.

The Seal Center urges everyone to keep at least 30 meters (about 100 feet) distance from seals in the wild. Pay attention to warning signs and always keep dogs on a leash. If in doubt, call a nearby seal rescue center.

Report a seal

Rave needs our care—and you can make a difference. By symbolically adopting her, you support our work and help provide her with a safe place to recover. Together, we can ensure that Rave receives the attention and care she deserves.

At the WEC (World Heritage Centre Wadden Sea), the new home of Seal Centre Pieterburen, a seal was taken in last week after becoming severely entangled in a fishing net. Although the net could be removed on the spot, the injuries were so serious that the animal had to be euthanised.

This once again highlights the impact human waste can have: it is the third seal this year to be admitted with such injuries. In March, Lucky was rescued—a young seal with a fishing net tightly wrapped around its neck. Thanks to prompt intervention and intensive care, he survived and was released a few days later. In April, grey seal Tangle was admitted, but his entanglement had left him so weakened that vets were unable to save him.

No chance of survival

For this third seal, named Kavga—Turkish for ‘fighter’—the situation initially appeared hopeful. Seal wardens on the island of Terschelling managed to cut the net loose but immediately noticed deep wounds on the animal’s front flippers. He was swiftly transported to Lauwersoog for further treatment.

Upon arrival, it became clear that Kavga had multiple severe injuries, including a deep gash that had penetrated the wrist joint of his left front flipper. The wound rapidly deteriorated, causing the joint to rupture completely beyond recovery.

The only possible treatment would have been to amputate the entire flipper. However, seals in the wild rely on both front flippers to survive, making amputation an unviable option. Euthanasia was therefore the only humane course of action.

A disturbing pattern

In less than half a year, three severely entangled seals have been admitted to the seal hospital—and these are just the animals that made it to a rescue centre. These are no longer isolated incidents, but signs of a worrying trend. The entanglements are a direct consequence of human pollution: fishing nets, ropes and other marine debris.

The impact on the animals is grave—many suffer severe injuries or do not survive. The Seal Response Team, a collaboration between three Dutch rescue centres, has reported a doubling in the number of entangled seal cases over the past year.

Raising awareness is the first step

The Seal Centre Pieterburen Foundation is calling for greater awareness of the impact human behaviour has on wild animals. Entanglement in fishing gear is a visible example, but human disturbance on beaches—by people and their dogs—also takes a toll.

In recent weeks, two seal pups have already been admitted due to human disturbance. When people are nearby, a mother seal may be too afraid to return to her pup, leaving it abandoned. Sick or weakened seals also sometimes lose the chance to rest and recover because they are approached or chased. In all of these cases, the animal ends up in care unnecessarily—disturbance that could often be easily avoided simply by keeping a respectful distance.

The public is therefore urged to always stay at least thirty metres away from a seal on the beach. Not sure if the animal needs help? Call one of the local rescue centres.