Ecomare Texel

Ecomare is a nature museum and wildlife rescue center located on the Wadden Sea island of Texel in the Netherlands. It is situated within the Dunes of Texel National Park. The facility is dedicated to showcasing the nature of the Dutch coast and the North Sea ecosystem.

Yes, Ecomare operates a very active and prominent seal and seabird rehabilitation and release program. They take in sick, injured, or orphaned marine mammals found along the Dutch coastline. Once the animals are healthy, they are released back into the wild.

Visitors can view live exhibits featuring North Sea fish, sea otters, and various seabirds. The facility also features extensive educational displays about the unique ecology of the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site. They also have massive aquariums simulating the underwater environments of the North Sea.

The facility originally opened its doors to the public in the late 1920s, reportedly around 1929. It initially started as a small bird sanctuary before expanding into a comprehensive nature center. It has grown significantly over the decades to become a premier wildlife rescue facility in the Netherlands.