The place to be where water, animals and fun come together
New entrance building opens its doors
April 1st, 2014
Every day the work on Niörd Seafari continues. Enclosures get an upgrade; new enclosures are build; old buildings get a makeover. Everything for the welfare of the animals. And of course the guests aren’t forgotten. This time, it’s the visitors that got something new to look at.
The old entrance has been welcoming our guests for almost 10 years now. But that time has passed. From now on, visitors can enter the park through a brand new entrance. A large square breaks the space between parking lot and zoo. The perfect place to gather with the family or with friends before entering the park. The building itself is built in a modern, yet traditional looking style. The number of ticket boots has been doubled, which means less time waiting before buying your ticket and more time to explore the park. Once past the cash desks, you find a large restroom on one side and an even bigger souvenir shop to the other. Just behind the entrance an artificial, yet natural looking pond dominates the square. From this large square numerous paths lead into the park and to the animals.
As for the old entrance building; it will be restored and repaired into its former glory. The main floor of the building will be turned into one large room which can be used for housing business meetings; seminaries and small events. The top floor will be transformed into an office floor. All the plans are drawn already and if everything goes according to plan, the new business center will open its doors next spring.
Team Nerina saves the monk seals
March 16th, 2014
Team Nerina and the Niörd Seafari help out in conservation programs for endangered marine life around world. Last month they landed on the Hawaiian Island of O’ahu to help starting up a new rescue facility for Hawaiian monk seals.
These beautiful pinnipeds are threatened by habitat loss and entanglement in fishing nets. Every year more starving pups are found on the Hawaiian beaches after losing their mother. These adorable pups are the future of the species. If we don’t help them today; the species will not survive tomorrow.
The new facility is capable of taking in up to 50 pups and nurse them back to health. Once healthy and strong, the pups can be released again.
Team Nerina was there to train the care takers in handling seal pups, while the Niörd Seafari financed the building of the facility.
A star is no more
March 20th, 2014
On March 19th our animal care takers had to say goodbye to one of our most beloved stars. Banjo, our male Californian Sea Lion, has suddenly passed away. With 31 years of age he was one of the oldest sea lions in European animal parks. But despite his age, he was still very active and playful. The cause of his death still has to be determent, but our vet is quite positive Banjo died of old age.
With Banjo no longer in charge of the group; Pepper has been promoted to leading male. At age 17; Pepper should be
perfectly capable to lead our clan of females; but these last ones try to make it as hard as possible for him. The trainers are keeping an extra watchful eye out, just to make sure the change of dominant male will not be causing any trouble within the group.
Niörd Seafari chosen as best Marine Park of the world
April 24th, 2014
Global travellers are going bananas for Niörd Seafari, declaring it one of the top 10 animal facilities in the world and the world’s best marine park.
The park in Norway has been named sixth best in the world, second best in all of Europe and number one in the list of marine parks, according to new rankings based on millions of online reviews.
Housing some of the rarest animals on the planet, and with the possibility to come face to face with the most dangerous creatures of the oceans; A visit to Niörd Seafari is something you have to do at least once in your life. So, what are you waiting for? Visit Niörd Seafari Park today!
A new animal arrived in Niörd
April 8th, 2014
The Niörd Seafari has always been one of the best Marine Parks in Europe. People from all over the world come here whenever Norway is on their foreign
visiting list. We have been known for our beautiful park; our long list of exotic and amazing animals; and our conservation work we do all over the world.
Now, our newest park section “Doors to the Deep”; opened in spring 2013 and home to some of the weirdest creatures of the deep; brought in an even more mysterious wonder. Our deep sea aquariologist, Mr. Flower has managed to obtain a new species for our collection to amaze the people even more. According to him, some weird invertebrate may be just what this section needs to make the visitors even more overwhelmed.
The Giant Siphonophore (Praya dubia), belonging to the Cnidarians or Coelenterates, can now be admired by young and old. Prepare to be amazed by the elegant movements and scenic view of these two glowing giants.
We invite you all to the Niörd Seafari Park, to come and take a look at our new arrivals.
A little vaquita is born
April 2th, 2014
3 years have passed since two rescued vaquitas from California, arrived in Norway. They have found a home in the Vaquita Coastal Hall, one of the main attractions of Niörd Seafari. For their trainers, work is hard every single day. After all, they are responsible for the only two captive vaquitas in the world. This brings a lot of stress and challenges. When something is wrong, you can’t call another park or zoo to ask for advice; you have to figure it out yourself. Seeing the porpoises healthy and playful every day, is a good indicator for the trainers that they do a great job, and is also extremely rewarding.
But this year, something amazing happened that is even more rewarding for the trainers. At the end of winter, on February 27th Dyre gave birth to her first calf. According to Unicorn, head trainer of the Vaquitas the birth came unexpected.
“We all knew Dyre was pregnant, but we estimated that she would give birth at the end of March, maybe even in the beginning of April. That timing would have given us some small problems. We wanted Dyre to give birth and care for her young in the best possible circumstances; away from the public. But we also didn’t want to keep her in the back pool all the time. Guess she solved that problem for us. It was a huge surprise for all of us to see the calf swimming next to his mother when we arrived at work that morning. When we left the day before, there was no indication at all that the little one was on his way.”
It’s a healthy baby boy that listens to the name ‘Ingo’; Scandinavian for ‘Leader’. The little porpoise was about 60 cm long at birth and has already grown 10 cm. Visitors can see the little star swimming alongside his mother at the underwater viewing window of the enclosure every day. At the age of one month, Ingo is already very independent, and also very curious. From time to time he wonders off and goes watching the visitors. Proud daddy Eyulf, however, is never far away and quickly guides his stubborn son back to his mother’s side.
