Seal Pup Found at Illegal Rave on Groningen Coast
A rave near the Groningen coast was shut down by police last weekend. Amid the music and crowds, officers discovered an unexpected guest: a newborn seal pup, now named Rave.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, riot police ended an illegal rave held on the Oterdummerpier near Borgsweer in the municipality of Eemsdelta. The unpermitted gathering, attended by an estimated 100 to 200 people, had started the night before and was held in a remote meadow along the Eems River.
What began as a typical unauthorised party took a bizarre and troubling turn when a newborn seal pup was found crawling between parked cars at the party site. The animal, just two to four days old, still had her umbilical cord attached and weighed only 7.2 kilograms, well below the average birth weight for seal pups.
Rave the Seal: Victim of Human Disturbance
The seal pup, now named Rave, was taken in by the Seal Centre Pieterburen, located in the Wadden Sea World Heritage Centre in Lauwersoog. Experts believe her mother likely gave birth nearby but fled due to the loud music and the presence of people.
“There’s a good chance the pup was born in the area and ended up in the chaos of the party,” said Emmy Venema of the seal centre. “We received a call from the Mobile Unit around 7 a.m., saying they had rescued a seal. It turned out to be a very young female pup—still an orphan now.”
The centre confirmed Rave is doing well and is being cared for with a salmon-based porridge that mimics her mother’s milk. She’s expected to stay at the centre for two to three months before she can be released back into the wild.
Reports of People Walking Around With the Seal
Earlier that night, the animal ambulance received a panicked call from people at the party, claiming they had found a seal. Screaming and music were audible in the background, but the callers never followed through with proper help. Police reports suggest that partygoers may have carried the seal around, though this has not been officially confirmed.
"This kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable,” said Venema. “Even if you discover a wild animal, the best thing you can do is leave it alone and call professionals immediately.”
Rave Is Not the Only One
The seal centre warns that human interference with seal pups is a growing issue, especially during the summer. Earlier this season, other young seals were disturbed by beachgoers, unleashed dogs, or even picked up and taken home before authorities were alerted.
The centre urges the public to stay at least 30 metres away from seals in the wild and to report any sightings or concerns to a local seal hospital, not to intervene directly.
The Rave Itself
The rave, reportedly organised as a protest against the upcoming NATO summit, was shut down around 3:00 a.m. following discussions between police, the mayor, and the public prosecutor. Officers pulled the plug on the music system, and although the crowd lingered for a while, the area was mostly cleared by 6:00 a.m.
Police deployed large numbers, including the riot squad, support units, and even a helicopter. Despite reports that some officers were pelted with objects upon arrival, no arrests were made, and the evacuation was completed peacefully. The fire department later scanned the area with drones to ensure no one was left behind.
Help Rave Recover
The Seal Centre has opened a symbolic adoption program to support Rave’s recovery. By adopting her, citizens can contribute to her care and help raise awareness about protecting marine life from human impact.