Nature features

I have worked at Scarborough SEA LIFE and Marine Sanctuary for seven years and feel incredibly lucky to be part of the Animal Care Team. I get to help look after all of our weird and wonderful creatures, from baby seahorses to mighty sharks.

Lyndsey Crawford, Displays Curator

2008 saw the renovation of our Seal Rescue Centre but in 2009 we have something completely new with the introduction of a Turtle Sanctuary!

The Turtle Sanctuary will provide much needed homes to a wide range of species of freshwater turtles that are currently classified as vulnerable or endangered as their population levels face serious threats.

Snake-neck turtle display

Turtles have been around for over 250 million years and yet over the last few decades they have almost been wiped off the face of the planet.

I am excited that we will be taking part in a Europe-wide breeding programme, designed to protect species that face extinction. This means that at some points during the coming year we hope to have turtle eggs actually hatching onsite.

Some of the species our visitors can expect to see include African Side-neck turtles, Pig-nosed turtles, Snake-neck turtles and we also have 100 baby Mississippi Map turtles that needed a new home after being confiscated by customs.

Tiny Mississippi Map turtles

The Turtle Sanctuary is not just about raising awareness of the dangers faced by freshwater turtles but also of sea turtles.

There are seven species of sea turtles – three of which are classified as critically endangered.

Fascinating turtle facts are on display

At Scarborough SEA LIFE, we offer a permanent home to a loggerhead turtle called Antiope, who was rescued from Zakynthos, in Greece after suffering serious head injuries resulting in brain damage. Although she will never make a full recovery or be released back into the wild, Antiope is very healthy and is well looked after – she is a favourite of many!

The Turtle Sanctuary is a great opportunity to learn more about how you can help protect our marine life.

Lyndsey Crawford