On Saturday the GSPCA released two rehabilitated seal pups; ‘Roar’ and ‘California Girl’, back into the wild off the coast of Guernsey. 

Despite a chilly morning, the release was deemed a success with both pups quickly entering the sea.

Both Roar and California Girl were both in a very poor condition when they were rescued late last year and the animal welfare charity said they’ve come a long way since then.

“Roar and California Girl who were rescued the end of last year and when rescued were only 15 kgs, very dehydrated, thin, had infections and full of worms at a similar age of a month or so old have today been released back to the wild,” said Geoff George Head of Marine Mammals.

Pictured; Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager, (Foreground), with his team preparing the healthy pair for their release back into the wild.

“It was a stunning day and it is what we do what we do to  see wild animals back where they belong.

“It is not easy caring for such sick seal pups when they arrive needing 24 hour care and without us these pups wouldn’t be alive today. Both pups have roughly quadrupled their weight from when we rescued them.”

The event marked a significant milestone for the GSPCA as these are likely to be the last seal pups to be released from the charity’s current marine rehabilitation facilities, which are slated for demolition to make way for new facilities.

The animal charity has released a total of 43 seals back into local waters over the past 12 years, and says it will now need the assistance of the public, and other organisations further afield, to add to that record whilst construction work on the new Wildlife Hospital is taking place. 

“Some of the current wildlife building have started to come down and although we have areas for triaging the seal pups, it is the pool stage we will not have,” said Steve Byrne, the GSPCA’s Manager.

“This is when we get the weight and fitness into each pup to ready for the wild.”

“We are looking at options but anyone that thinks they could help, we would love to hear from them.”

Pictured: The seal pups are now back in the wild.

“We are very busy at this time of year with wildlife and are now very close to selecting a building firm for the new Wildlife Hospital so it is highly this season of seals we are looking for help in the UK for their rehab while the build takes place but we will of course stabilise them here,” added My Byrne.

“We are coming to the end of the year’s seal pup season, but we do have lots of details online on what to do if you do see a seal in trouble, but the easiest is just call 257261.”

You can read more about the GSPCA’s work with seals on their rehabilitation and recovery, along with further details on the new Wildlife Hospital HERE.

You can also find out more about the GSPCA and the vital work it does online, on its website HERE. 

  • roar-grey-seal-pup-gspca-guernsey.jpg
    Roar was especially feisty, and earned his name. (Image courtesy of the GSPCA).
  • California Girl was serenely underweight and wouldn’t have lasted long without the work of the Animal Charity. (Image courtesy of the GSPCA).
  • The duo were rehabilitated side by side. (Image courtesy of the GSPCA).
  • Until they were strong enough to be released. (Image courtesy of the GSPCA).
  • Pictured; In the foreground, Steve Byrne the GSPCA Manager, with the animal charities dedicated team behind him getting the seals ready for their big day. (Image courtesy of the GSPCA).
  • (Image courtesy of the GSPCA).
  • (Image courtesy of the GSPCA).