On Borkum On some days, seals can be seen on the seal bank. In the summer, from May to September, the seals always gather on the sandbank to give birth, nurse, and molt their young.
A second seal species is also Borkum The grey seal – Germany's largest predator – has been native here again since the turn of the millennium. In 2020, the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea celebrated a new birth record for grey seals. 372 pups were counted during counting flights.
In recent years, the seal bank has moved closer and closer to the north and former main beach. As a result of this change, there are not as many seals there anymore. Nevertheless, a distance of 300 meters from the animals should always be maintained. The baby seals are born mainly in the summer months from June to August.
If one of the animals gets lost or the mother is looking for food, it is quite possible that she will be found on the beach. If the human goes too close, the baby seal (“howler”) takes on the human’s scent and is rejected by its parents. A transport to seal station in Norddeich would be the result. Therefore, please always keep a sufficient distance. Better a few meters too much than too little.
Seals are not allowed to be hunted in Germany. Instead, they have to contend with other problems, such as water pollution, diseases or disturbances by humans in their habitat. That is why it is particularly important to be considerate.
