Selasetur Íslands

 

On July 19th seals at the coastline of Heggstaðanes and Vatnsnes, total of 100 km,  was counted by the Seal Center’s specialists and volunteers. This is the ninth time that the counting takes place.

 

This year total of 446 seals were counted (mostly harbouseals). That number is significantly lower than former counts, of between 614 and 757 in 2011 until 2014 and between 614 and 757 animals the years before, 2007-2010. Even though the numbers this year are lower it is important to keep in mind that these numbers are only a clue to the minimum amount of seals in the area. Alot of factors affect the number of seals that can be spotted, weather beining one of them. The weather during the count this year was a lot worse than in the past years, fog, rain and wind. The seal is more likely to be on land when the weather is good, sunny and still. 

It is also important to keep in mind that the numbers do not indicate the total population of the Harbour Seal in Iceland.  The last full population evaluation in Iceland was done by the Seal Center in 2011 and the results indicate that the population has been the same since 2003 at a total of just under 12 thousand animals. Since then the center has not gotten funding to make full population estimates. Partial counts made in 2014 indicate that there is a decrease in the population. The Seal Center is hoping for funding to be able to make a total population estimate in 2016.

 

 

Visitor numbers to the Seal Center have been increasing steadyly in the past few years. June this year is no exeption. Total number of visitors to the information center at the Seal Center in june is about 35% higher than in june last year. This increase is significantly greater than between june 2013 and june 2014 when we saw around 15% increase. 

In 2014 total number of visitors was just over 20 thousand and this year estimated guest count is between 23 and 25 thousand. 

It is clear of these numbers that tourists are coming to Húnaþing vestra in greater numbers than before. Understandably so for in the area you can find unspoilt nature as well as high level services for tourists. 

The annual Great Seal Count will be held on july 19th 2015 for the 9th time. 

During the Great Seal Count the coastline of Vatnsnes and Heggstaðarnes in Húnaþing vestra is divided between staff of the Seal center and volunteers and together the group counts seals in the area. The coastline is divided into smaller areas (2-7km), so everyone can find a suitable distance. Afterwards you get a coffee and a cake at the Seal Center.

 It is a great experience! Please register by e-mailing us: info@selasetur.is  or dial  +354-451-2345.

The Great Seal Count is not suitable for children younger than 5 and kids between 5 and 15 years may only take part in the company of adults.

Dr Mandy Paterson, Chief Scientist for the Royal Society for the Prevention Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) of Queensland, Australia, visited the Seal Center this week. While here, she met with our researchers, Sandra Granquist and Leah Burns, to compare issues relevant to the welfare of wildlife in Iceland and Australia.

Dr. Leah Burns, Dr. Mandy Paterson and Sandra Granquist

The Seal Center was recently awarded its second TripAdvisor award in a short time. This time around the award was the Certificate of Excellence 2015. The award is given to the Seal Center based on number of good reviews on TripAdvisor. 

This award is very important to the Seal Center. Tourists use TripAdvisor as a resource for finding interesting places to visit on their travels so it is very important that the reviews are good. In the past few months the Seal Center has placed an emphasis on giving out good information to our gests as well as systematically asking for reviews on TripAdvisor. The result is a big increase in good reviews and this important award.