From November, grey seals bring their pups to the dune of Heligoland to the world. With a little luck, the rare event of a birth can be observed here.
Holidaymakers accompanied by a guide experience the rearing of baby seals on the white beach of the East Frisian island. Who in the summer to the North Sea coast travels, can meet the curious marine mammals while swimming.
Who would like to experience the grey seals up close
A seal sunbathing on the dune in Heligoland
Germany's largest free-living predator was considered in the eighties on the Heligoland island as almost extinct.
Today, the seal species is still one of our country's endangered populations. It is only since the mid-1990s that conservationists have observed that the animals are again regularly giving birth to their young on the Helgoland dune.
To ensure that the tranquility of the baby seals is not disturbed, expert guides accompany the tourists. The visit to the local bathing island begins with a boat trip. There, a unique natural spectacle awaits the young and old guests in the Vacation at the North Sea.
How the marine mammals live
Along with the seal, the grey seal is one of the fauna most widespread on the Helgoland dune. The name is derived from their cone-shaped head. Up to 300 kilogram body weight reaches a full-grown animal, which in Latin is called a Halichoerus grypus is called.
A special feature is that the seals prefer the habitat on the island in the German Bight and always return to their breeding site.
One reason for this may be the mild, winter climate due to the Gulf Stream. Compared to the mainland, the small island even has more hours of sunshine during the cold season. The dive of a gray seal takes about 20 minutes.
In the process, the agile swimmers reach depths of up to 140 meters. Adults consume about 10 kilograms of fish a day. Especially herring, cod, salmon, plaice and mackerel are on their menu with preference.
On the way to the berths of the seal colony
On Helgoland visitors have in the Wadden Sea National Park the opportunity to observe rank fights and mating of marine mammals. The babies are born after a gestation period of 11.5 months with white fur, which in technical language is called lanugo.
Rank fights of two seals on Helgoland
The embryonic coat persists for about 5 weeks before changing to a light to mottled gray coloration. Depending on where the babies are born on the high seas island, their name begins with N for North Beach, S for South Beach or F for Flint Beach Aade.
When visiting the creatures in their natural environment, nature lovers get a fascinating insight into the rearing of the young animals. Today, so-called seal hunters work as national park employees and are responsible for the protection of the extraordinary island inhabitants.
For the welfare of the seals on the dune on Helgoland, the association Jordsand und die Natur e. V. conduct their own excursions. Sun, wind and clouds provide a unique backdrop for the whole family. Those who take on a sponsorship for the grey seals are allowed to watch the offspring in the North Sea vacation visit free of charge.
