Ecomare
Ecomare is the place to get acquainted with the environmental aspects of the North Sea and the Waddenzee. It is situated in a 70 ha dune-park near De Koog. Apart from the visitor center, seal and bird nurseries where animals are taken care of until they can be restored to their natural habitat there are exhibits covering both natural history and field-work. The 70 ha park -through a number of set walking paths- gives a good impression of the various dune-scapes. Admission to the park is included in the entrance fee.
The predecessor to EcoMare started to take care of sick and problematic seals as long ago as 1951. It took until 1962 when a law forbade seal-hunting to be able to return saved animals to their natural habitat. Until 1962 seals were considered to be detrimental to the fishing industry and up to 600 were shot annually. To this day sick seals and the so-called 'criers', baby seals that have lost their parent and make crying sounds are being taken care of with the aim to put them back in their proper environment. The seals on permanent exhibition are those who are deemed unfit to be returned to sea and are used for breeding. The off-spring moves on into the Waddenzee when they are ready for it. The seals are fed daily at 11.00 and 15.00 hrs.
Apart from the seals hundreds of seabirds are brought in annually to be nurdsed back to health. Apart from weak birds, traffic accidents and entanglement in barbed wire, the major problem is oil-spill. Visitors can watch the nursing of these birds among which are rare species normally only to be found in open sea.
Other exhibits cover the origins and development of the Island, the environmental aspects of it's location between the adjacent North Sea and the Waddenzee wetland area and the impact of the human factor.
Daily: 09.00 - 17.00 hrs.
Closed Dec 25, Jan 1th and sundays from Nov 1 till April 1.
Adress:
EcoMare, centrum voor Wadden en Noordzee,
Ruyslaan 92, De Koog
Phone: 0222-317741
