Two arrivals in two weeks means the GSPCA has now rescued three grey seal pups in 2025, despite being challenged by the building work at the animal shelter that means the marine rehabilitation unit will soon be demolished.
One of the seal pups rescued last week sadly died from seizures, confirmed the charity, but the second is still recovering, after being rescued with a fish hook in its mouth.
‘Fireworks’ is now being cared for alongside ‘Swish’ who was rescued earlier in March.
Geoff George, the Head of Marine Mammals at the GSPCA, is taking the lead in their care.
“On Sunday we rescued the third sick grey seal pup of 2025 which has a nasty fish hook in its mouth. He is only 20kgs so less than half of the weight he should be for his age.
“He was found near the shooting range and is needing around the clock care at the GSPCA and we are liaising with the vets on how to best remove the hook. He has been called Fireworks and is not far from Swish, who was recently rescued.”
The GSPCA recently released two healthy seals, Roar and California Girl, who were both rescued in 2024.
The charity is on the cusp of starting its ‘Big Build’ project to replace the current facilities, meaning a rush of seal pup rescues could cause concern for the GSPCA as it won’t have anywhere to care for them long term.
Without the use of pools to help build muscle and fitness for survival in the wild, it could be a challenging period for local seal rehabilitation.
Over the past 12 years, 43 seals have been released back into local waters thanks to the help of the GSPCA, but now the animal charity says it needs even more help to be able to keep providing the critical care needed.
The GSPCA Manager, Steve Byrne added: “Some of the current wildlife building have started to come down and although we have areas for triaging the seal pups but it is the pool stage we will not have and 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 think they could help we would love to hear from them.
“We are coming to the end of the years 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.”
If you find a seal, the animal charity has the following advice:
If the seal pup looks healthy, monitor it from a safe distance for 24 hours. Do not touch seals; they can bite. Do not put seal pups back into the sea.
If a seal pup seems sick, thin, or injured, call the GSPCA at 01481 257261, and provide them with the exact location, the seal’s condition, and any relevant observations.
You can find out more about the work of the GSPCA on its website HERE.
