News from Tynemouth
Blue Reef Prepares For Arrival Of Norwegian Seals
A pair of Norwegian harbour seals is set to arrive at Tynemouth's Blue Reef Aquarium on Friday, February 8th.
The two seals are being transported on a DFDS ferry from Bergen to Newcastle ferry port before making the short journey to the aquarium.
On arrival they will be checked over before joining Blue Reef's resident groups of harbour seals in their 650,000 litre Seal Cove feature.
The pair of three-year-old female seals, called Selina and Loffe, were both born in captivity at Bergen Aquarium and are being accompanied on the trip by their keeper.
Blue Reef curator Zahra d'Aronville, who will also be travelling with the seals, said she's looking forward to the moment when they are released into their new home.
"It's very exciting to be at this final stage after so many months of planning and hard work. We can't wait to see Selina and Loffe exploring their fabulous new surroundings," she said.
Containing over half-a-million litres of seawater, Seal Cove also includes man-made islands, underwater caves and a cascading waterfall.
Visitors approach via a doorway from the existing aquarium. Their first sight of the giant display is via two large underwater viewing panels which provide an amazing glimpse into the depths of the pool.
They then wind their way round along a ramped walkway with a series of further undersea viewing panels until they reach the 'surface' where there is another viewing point onto the landscaped island.
