Sanctuaries

Lincolnshire’s unspoilt beaches, vast stretches of salt marshland and peaceful coastal reserves create an ideal habitat for a whole range of wildlife including those that are endangered or rarely seen. Sanctuaries play an important role in Lincolnshire’s nature conservation by nurturing sick and injured animals.

Lincolnshire has the biggest breeding colony of Grey Seals in England, where around a thousand pups are born every winter. Although most seals are born healthy and leave the colony with no complications there are a number which need help from our sanctuaries. There are also a large number of birds, marine life and woodland animals that receive care from Lincolnshire’s sanctuaries.

Donna Nook Nature Reserve

Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary cares for both Common and Grey Seals in their seal and wildlife hospital. The sanctuary began as a small animal and garden attraction and has grown to be a fully functional recuperation unit nursing dozens of seals and other wildlife, including many sea birds, back to health.

The sanctuary at Skegness Natureland has a Seal hospital which also works to rear seal pups who have been found in difficulty; many of these cases are where pups have been washed up by high tides and separated from their mothers. Natureland allows visitors to come and see the seals at feeding time, which is both entertaining and educational. You can also see a variety of tropical butterflies and reptiles as well as fish and marine life.