Tynemouth Aquarium

Tynemouth Seal Hospital, located within Tynemouth Aquarium, is a relatively small and young rescue facility dedicated to the care of injured, sick, and abandoned seal pups from the surrounding coastline. Though situated on the aquarium grounds, the hospital operates away from public view to ensure a calm, controlled environment for recovery.

Their care regimen emphasizes minimal human contact, using techniques like wetsuit surrogate moms to reduce stress and preserve the seals’ natural behaviors. With space for only a handful of patients at a time, the hospital plays a crucial role in providing local, immediate care, sparing vulnerable pups from longer, more stressful transport to distant centers. Once rehabilitated, seals are typically released at Whitley Bay, close to their original habitat.

While modest in scale, Tynemouth Seal Hospital is an essential link in the UK’s marine mammal rescue network, offering timely intervention and compassionate care for seals in need.