The Baltic Sea Animal Rehabilitation Center

Baltijos jūros gyvūnų reabilitacijos centras (the Baltic Sea Animal Rehabilitation Center), located within the Lithuanian Sea Museum (Lietuvos jūrų muziejus) in Klaipėda, has been rescuing and rehabilitating marine wildlife for over three decades. In its earliest days, seal pups were cared for in improvised facilities – sometimes even in bathtubs inside museum offices. Today, the center has evolved into a modern, purpose-built facility with multiple indoor and outdoor pools designed to treat abandoned or weakened grey seal pups and injured seabirds found along Lithuania’s Baltic coast.

The center plays a vital role in regional conservation efforts, especially as grey seal populations in the Baltic Sea remain under pressure. In addition to hands-on rehabilitation, the museum conducts scientific research on seal health, behavior, and habitat conditions, contributing valuable data to international conservation networks.

While the rehabilitation areas are not open to casual visitors, the museum offers educational exhibits and a guided tour named “As I Change – So Does the Sea” for pre-booked groups in the rehabilitation center, helping raise public awareness about the challenges facing Baltic marine life and encouraging environmentally friendly behaviors.