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.’
