Seal Kiwi returned to the center after being disturbed by humans

It is something the Sealcentre Pieterburen prefers not to do: take in a seal - let alone for the second time. Since the 2020 Seal Agreement, there has been a cautious approach to rehabilitating seals. Ideally, the seal recovers by himself in its natural environment.

Beach visitors disturb seals

In the case of Kiwi, too, every effort was made to avoid rehabilitation. He had been observed on the beaches of North Holland for weeks because of concerns about his health. Although the Seal Agreement requires people to keep 30 meters away from a seal, the seal center received many reports of people coming near Kiwi. Therefore, specialized seal watchers moved Kiwi several times to a quieter spot.

With increasing regularity, the seal center receives reports of disturbances by humans. In these cases, not only is the distance of thirty meters exceeded, but the seal is touched, petted or even lifted. However, this human intervention causes so much stress that it damages the animal's health or - in the case of pups - causes a mother to abandon her baby.

Kiwi werd al weken geobserveerd door zeehondenwachters.

This is why Sealcentre Pieterburen is urging people to always stay at a great distance from seals. Not only is it harmful for the animals, but it can also be dangerous for humans. Seals can bite and transmit diseases. In addition, there are fines for approaching seals.

Short of breath and lost a lot of weight

During observation, it was already determined that Kiwi probably had a lungworm infection. This is a common infection in young seals because their immune system is not yet sufficiently resistant to it. In most cases, they are able to recover from this on their own. However, some of them get so sick that they cannot survive without help.

Kiwi during his second intake last Sunday, Nov. 3.

The symptoms are shortness of breath, a bloody mouth and weight loss. Kiwi was so short of breath last Sunday that it was decided to take him to Pieterburen. He had also lost 10 kilos since his release in July. Kiwi is expected to take two to three months to recover.

Kiwi is famous and loved

Seal Kiwi was the first pup of the common seal's birthing season brought to the seal center in April. He was found on April 15, prematurely born and orphaned, making him the earliest pup ever. The center cared for him intensively until he was strong and large enough to return to the sea in mid-July.

Kiwi was just a few days old during his first intake in April.

With his white, spiky coat and matching name, Kiwi made a big impression both nationally and internationally. The puppy was symbolically adopted en masse by concerned followers and quickly went viral on TikTok. Even the American TV show Good Morning America paid attention to the news.