Overview

• Norddeich and Friedrichskoog are the only authorized seal pup intake centers in Germany operating under Wadden Sea National Park protections.
• Three pups—Hubi, Steve and Scotty—were released at Juist by Norddeich staff while Friedrichskoog personnel freed Ariel, Heddies, Hugo and Vicky into the Wadden Sea.
• Each seal pup reached the 25 kg release weight after an average of 56 days in care before being transported by boat in specialized boxes.
• Norddeich recorded about 30 percent fewer orphaned pup admissions this year compared with 2024, a decline attributed to lower tourism-related disturbances.
• Underweight pups like Hubi, found at just 8.2 kg on Borkum in early June, depended entirely on station care to survive and thrive for release.