Penguins at Skegness Natureland
The ATL team has recently completed works on a new enclosure for penguins at Skegness Natureland
Skegness Natureland is primarily known for rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned and injured harbor and grey seal pups along the Lincolnshire coast. Their dedicated work has been ongoing since being founded in 1965 by John Yeadon. It was officially opened by Princess Margaret and since that time, Skegness Natureland has become one of the UK’s most iconic coastal wildlife rescue centers. Each year, the sanctuary takes in around 70 seal pups, caring for them in its dedicated seal hospital until they are strong enough to be released back into the wild.
While seal rescues remain at the heart of Skegness Natureland’s mission, the sanctuary also houses a diverse collection of animals including African penguins, meerkats, alpacas, caimen, tropical butterflies, and reptiles. The old penguin enclosure facilities were due a much needed upgrade and ATL were the chosen specialist partner to assist Skegness Natureland with their project.
Being an external open to the air pool and in the UK where we can’t always rely on dry settled weather, it was necessary to have the pool covered over to provide weather protection.
A temporary roof structure provided much need weather protection to the external pool during composite lining and glazing works
Following initial design input and advice on interfacing details, our technician team provided bicolour composite waterproofing to the reinforced concrete pool structure.
Composite pool lining in Skegness
Composite lining works in progress in Skegness
ATL then prepared and installed a number of acrylic viewing panels providing above and below water viewing opportunities around the perimeter of the new penguin enclosure.
Installing the acrylic viewing panels
Skegness penguin windows safely installed
Behind the scenes we provided a seawater filtration system incorporating a drum filter and full flow UV sterilizer providing the all important water disinfection. Naturlistic rockwork decor completes the enclosure.
A drum filter and full flow UV provides penguin pool filtration
Back of house penguin UV sterilizer
Pool full and systems are all working as planned
ATL filtration system commissioning
System commissioning
Pool filling and comissioning
Still run to this day by the Yeadon family, Skegness Naturerland operates as a non-profit organization, relying on visitor admission fees and donations to fund its vital rescue work.
This super little penguins at Skegness Natureland project is now being used by the African Penguins and we are proud to have worked alongside the Skegness Natureland team to successfully deliver it. We wish them every success for continuing their invaluable work well into the future.
