What happened to animals after UK’s first Sea Life centre was discovered with tanks still full
The sanctuary closed its doors in October 2018
Here is what happened to the animals which called the UK's first Sea Life centre their home after the site was closed down.
Interest in the centre has resurfaced once again after YouTuber Daniel Sims (@BeardedReality) shared a video of himself exploring the abandoned site.
The content creator had visited the location, in Scotland's Oban, back in 2024, after hearing the town had played host to an aquatic sanctuary for almost 40 years before closing its doors in October 2018.
Years on from the centre being shuttered and Sims was surprised to find several tanks and enclosures still intact as well as animal food left behind.
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"There were cleaning chemicals and hazardous materials that shouldn’t have been left," he explained in the original video.
"There was food for the animals left, which was really weird."
With the eerie video of empty enclosures gaining traction online, interest has naturally turned to what happened to the animals which had been living there at the time.
The site had previously been home to a variety of aquatic species, including otters, turtles and a seal rehabilitation centre.
What happened to the animals at the UK's first Sea Life centre?
According to reports from the site's closure in 2018, the animals at the site were transferred to other Sea Life Centres across the country before the attraction was closed.
Opened in 1979, the centre marked Sea Life's first site in the UK, with a further 10 sites opening in cities such as London, Manchester and Brighton.
Why did the UK's first Sea Life centre close?
After nearly 40 years in operation, the centre decided to close its doors in 2018 due to a declining number of visitors.
"Sadly visitor numbers to the attraction have been in decline and after comprehensively reviewing every possible option, there isn't a viable way to sustain the significant investment that is required in order to keep the sanctuary open," read a statement from the Scottish sanctuary.
"This was an enormously tough decision which has been reached with a heavy heart and with the utmost consideration."
Meanwhile, a recent update revealed the centre could soon be demolished, after an application was submitted to Argyll and Bute Council.
According to documents submitted, the application said the demolition would 'make way for a new development'.
Planning agents Northern Lights Consulting Ltd said in a statement: “This method statement describes the safe demolition of the café and shop buildings at the former Sea Life Centre, Barcaldine.
“The works will comply with all relevant legislation, best practice guidelines, and contract requirements. The two buildings are timber framed, with dado walls constructed of brickwork and timber clad superstructure.
“The shop building has a concrete ‘basement’ level including retaining wall although on three sides it is at or close to existing ground level (due to the sloping nature of the site).”
LADbible has contacted the Sea Life Press Office for comment.
Brenna Cooper