Natureland has set up a JustGiving page so that they can continue to rescue pups in need.
Natureland Seal Sanctuary in Skegness has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and re-releasing orphaned and injured seals since it was founded by John Yeadon in 1965.
Today Daisy Yeadon, John’s granddaughter, is co-director of Natureland with her cousin Matt. Along with a small team, they rescue between 60 to 70 seal pups each year.
However, Daisy estimates that COVID-19 and associated restrictions have cost Natureland upwards of £300,000 and, without visitors, the sanctuary itself stands little chance of survival.
With the third lockdown in place, Natureland is completely closed and has no regular income. If funds run out, so too does the luck of vulnerable seal pups.
However, the team at Natureland is determined to continue the important conservation work. Daisy said: “The welfare of our animals is top of our list and we have to keep things running as normal.”
Rescued pups begin their rehabilitation at Natureland in the seal hospital.
On average, the rehabilitation of one seal pup costs Natureland £2,000. More than £300 is spent weekly on frozen fish for the rescued seals.
The care of full-time residents (penguins, meerkats, sheep, and an unruly goat called Henry to name just a few) brings the bill up to over £6,000 per month.
For Daisy, this financial strain is a constant concern and she said: “With no one coming through the door we have no money coming in and it’s really worrying.”
Natureland has outdoor enclosures and thus had the option to open to the public before the third lockdown took hold.
However, the precautions necessary due to COVID-19 were a further drain on funds, especially at the quietest time of year.
Daisy added: “There are so many extra costs. You’ve got to provide hand-sanitiser and paint the floor with signs saying ‘this way’ for the protection of visitors.
“It’s easier to not have to think about that and focus on the animals’ welfare.”
Natureland rescues between 60 to 70 seal pups per year.
Faced with these vast outgoings, Natureland has set up a Justgiving page with a goal of £100,000.
They still have a long way to go, but Daisy is grateful for everything Natureland has received so far.
She said: “Our supporters have been the best thing to come out of all of this. They just donate, they don’t want anything in return.
“These people have been affected by COVID as well, they have lost their jobs, they’re making less money, but they are helping us with anything they can.’
Once pups reach a desired weight they are moved to the rearing pool with the other rescued seals.
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on February 24, Daisy expects to reopen Natureland’s outdoor enclosures on April 12.
Although this does provide a glimmer of hope, the sanctuary faces a further month without income, and there are more orphaned seal pups in the North Sea in need of Natureland’s help.
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There have been 88 new coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire and one COVID-related death on Monday as restrictions eased across the UK as part of the PM’s roadmap out of lockdown.
The government’s COVID-19 dashboard on April 12 recorded 58 new cases in Lincolnshire, 16 in North East Lincolnshire and 14 in North Lincolnshire.
On Monday, one death was recorded in Lincolnshire and none in Northern Lincolnshire. This figure includes deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.
NHS England reported no changes to the hospital death figures across the region, which still stands at 1,300 from a week ago.
Nationally, cases increased by 3,568 to 4,373,343, while deaths rose by 13 to 127,100.
In local news, North Kesteven has the most over 50s vaccinated with the first dose of a COVID-19 jab in Lincolnshire, whereas Boston has the least.
However, South Kesteven has the most 18 to 49 year olds vaccinated in Greater Lincolnshire with Lincoln having the least, according to research by Sky News.
There were 398 coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire and 10 COVID-related deaths last week — a 43% drop in cases and 23% fewer deaths compared to the previous week.
Hundreds of people queued outside Debenhams and at several barbers and salons in the city as Lincoln, and the rest of England, entered the next stage of the roadmap out of coronavirus lockdown on Monday, April 12. The pubs and bars had a good day too.
The latest rules allow for the retail sector to fully reopen its doors for customers again, two weeks after the previous lockdown easing on March 29 which resumed outdoor socialising for up to six people – see the list of rules here.
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Monday, April 12
Greater Lincolnshire includes Lincolnshire and the unitary authorities of North and North East (Northern) Lincolnshire.
58,722 cases (up 88)
40,909 in Lincolnshire (up 58)
9,226 in North Lincolnshire (up 14)
8,587 in North East Lincolnshire (up 16)
2,182 deaths (up one)
1,610 from Lincolnshire (up one)
304 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
268 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)
of which 1,300 hospital deaths (no change)
808 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)
41 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
450 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)
4,373,343 UK cases, 127,100 deaths
DATA SOURCE — FIGURES CORRECT AT THE TIME OF THE LATEST UPDATE. POSTCODE DATA INCLUDES DEATHS NOT IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES OR IN HOSPITALS OUTSIDE AUTHORITY BOUNDARIES.
Beer gardens in Lincoln have already started to fill up as pubs and bars were allowed to reopen to serve customers outside from Monday, April 12.
Restaurants are also allowed to reopen to serve customers outside as part of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, while indoor service is currently scheduled to be permitted from May 17.
The Lion & Snake and Prince of Wales were particularly busy in Uphill Lincoln on Monday, while student bar The Towers had a long queue of people outside during the afternoon.
Soaking in the sunshine in the Bailgate at the Prince of Wales and Lion & Snake. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The queue at the student bar – The Towers – on Monday afternoon. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Students enjoying their drinks at The Towers. | Photo: The Lincolnite
The beer garden at The Towers was very busy. | Photo: The Lincolnite
The Nosey Parker, Craft and The Royal William IV were also among the bars to reopen in Lincoln on Monday – see the full list here.
The Nosey Parker welcomes back punters on April 12. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Socially distanced drinks in the beer garden at the Nosey Parker. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Ronnie Byrne, Duty Manager at Nosey Parker, said: “It’s good to be back! The snow last night had us a bit concerned. A snow day after six months off would’ve been a bit of a downer, wouldn’t it?
“But thankfully, the sun is out, the drinks are flowing, and we’ve been able to welcome back our amazing guests. They’ve stood by us through this whole chaotic time, and we couldn’t be happier to have them back!”
Good to be back! Craft on Lincoln High Street has a spacious beer garden to welcome customers. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
David Nejrup, Operations Manager at Craft, said: “We are delighted to be taking the first step back to ‘normal’. It’s been great to welcome guests into our garden.
“We are now counting down the days to May 17 when hopefully we’ll be allowed to welcome our guests back inside the venue.”
James Dolan is Operations Director at Ever So Sensible Restaurants. They run The Royal William IV and Horse & Groom on Brayford Wharf North, The Duke William in the Bailgate and Ferry Boat in Washingborough, which are all now back open.
Customers enjoying a pint outside by the Brayford at The Royal William IV.
He said: “Our teams have been really busy making sure the pubs are safe and ready to reopen, and we’ve even had the chance to make some improvements, deep cleaning, redecorating, adding new seating, and additional covered areas ready to make people smile when they visit us again.
“We are super excited to see all of our lovely customers again, especially our much loved regulars that are part of the family. This most recent lockdown has been the longest and toughest for everyone, which made us a bit nervous about reopening, but as we’ve got stuck in to getting the pubs ready we’ve really enjoyed being back at work.
“We’ve rediscovered our sense of purpose, and our love for serving amazing food & drink whilst making people happy. Today (Monday) has been brilliant seeing all those smiling faces again (even if they are hidden behind a mask), it has really reminded us why we love our industry so much.”
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