The Scarborugh Sea Life Centre

This is the centre of otter-keeping for the whole Sea Life Centre and Seal Sanctuary operation, because Paul Bullimore, the otter curator for the organisation, is based here.

Eric and Cherry, the Asian Small-Clawed Otters, had learnt that to get their food fast, they should attack the keepers as soon as they saw them - the keeper would then throw the food at them to avoid injury.  Paul learnt how to use positive operand conditioning to reinforce desirable behaviour, and within three months, had Eric eating from his hand, and Cherry, older and always more wary, enjoying target training.  If the otters see anyone carrying the white stick with the blue end, they get very excited, and sit on their station, away from the gate, waiting for their trainer.  At each feed they do a little training, followed by having the rest of their food scattered for collection.

The site is flat, and paths are tarmacked or gravelled.  There is a large public pay-and-display car park just outside the centre..  There is a good gift shop, and a cafe of the sausage and chips kind, like all Sea Life Centres.  Additional attractions include penguins and Pacific Giant Octopus and, this year, jellyfish are coming.

The Scarborough Sea Life Centre is at Scalby Mills, on North Bay.  It is just off the A165 heading out of Scarborough north toward Whitby - it is well signposted: turn right and follow road down to beachfront car park.

I last visited Scarborough Sea Life Centre in October, 2004.