WHILE Sealife Adventure’s doors were closed to the public for a number of months due to the coronavirus pandemic, work did not stop behind the scenes.

The Southend-based aquarium - on Eastern Esplanade - welcomes thousands of visitors every year as people of all ages look to get a glimpse of penguins, sharks and otters.

Sealife Adventure’s animal care team continued to work around the clock during lockdown to ensure the sea creatures and wildlife were looked after in the midst of a global pandemic which changed the world as we know it.

Lucy Hodge, a director at Sealife Adventure, said: “The lockdown was very tough. Having to close the doors and not see our many loyal customers was difficult, especially as we had opened our brand new Pangaea Adventure, complete with dinosaurs and tropical butterflies.

Echo:

Popular - meerkats can be found at Sealife Adventure

“It was both sad and surreal to see Sealife Adventure devoid of people.

“Our animal care team did a magnificent job in looking after the animals in very difficult circumstances throughout the period, so all of our animals were in perfect health for the end of the lockdown.”

Sealife Adventure opened in 1993 and was taken over by the Stockvale Group in January 2000.

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But Covid-19 has forced the aquarium into making changes.

Ms Hodge, who starting working at Sealife Adventure in 2000, added: “Since reopening, we have put in a huge range of safety measures, including 30-day microbial shielding, reducing the capacity to 40 per cent of the normal amount and various distancing measures throughout.

“We are delighted to be able to welcome back all of our customers, especially our loyal annual pass holders.

“We’re particularly pleased to welcome everyone to the fantastic new Pangaea Adventure.”

Sealife Adventure boasted some celebrity guests last week as former England international footballer Rio Ferdinand and his wife Kate, an ex-The Only Way Is Essex star, dropped in to feed the penguins.

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Star appeal - Rio and Kate Ferdinand fed the penguins when they visited the aquarium last week

Ms Hodge feels the popular attraction offers something for everyone.

She revealed: “We are holders of the Visit England Welcome Accolade, the Queen’s Award for Enterprise and Opportunity and have the Visit Britain ‘Good to Go’ Covid-19 Kitemark.

“Sealife Adventure is home to a fantastic variety of creatures, including monkeys, meerkats and penguins and a host of aquatic life.

“There’s always something new to see.”

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