WATCH: Titan and Pork Pie swim off to independence

Pork Pie and Titan were released at Portelet near to where they were discovered in need of help at the Fairy Ring.

Titan was very young and extremely thin when he was picked up on New Year’s Eve last year. Pork Pie was recused from the same area in the summer. He had originally been rescued and released in Cornwall but needed more help.

Video: You can watch the seal pups being released at Portelet. 

The seals have been in the seal rehabilitation pools at the animal shelter in St Andrew’s. For a while they shared the pools with four other poorly pups.

In total, the GSPCA has helped 14 seal pups over the last 10 years. Head of Marine Mammals, Geoff George, is always delighted when he and his colleagues can successfully re-wild seals which have been in their care.

“With the good weather expected in the run-up to Christmas, we decided today would be a good day to release Pork Pie and Titan,” said Mr George.

“Both seal pups were extremely thin and have had to overcome a number of health issues, but they now both look great and the release went really well.

“They were both rescued at the Fairy Ring so we decided to release them at Portelet. It was a great release site. Pork Pie was quickly in the water. Titan took a little longer, but it was great to see them back in the wild.”

The rehabilitation work seals go through at the GSPCA includes building their weight so they can survive in the water. During their time at the animal shelter, Titan quadrupled his weight and Pork Pie tripled his.

Mr George said the remaining pups at the animal shelter have a little way to go before they can be released.

“The other four seal pups are called Luna C and Jagho Herman – they are the two newest Guernsey seal pups and they are still in intensive care – and Aurora and Eliza, who are Jersey pups, and they are doing well and out in the rehabilitation pools.”

Pictured: The seal pups were taken to Portelet to be released as close as possible to the place where they were rescued months ago.

GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne said it was wonderful to see the two older pups released but he is expecting more to need the rehabilitation pools soon.

“It is the best part of what we do at the GSPCA – seeing animals return where they belong,” said Mr Byrne.

“Titan has been with us for nearly a year and Pork Pie for six months so it has been a long road to get them ready and get decent weather for their release.

“This is Pork Pie’s second rescue as he was originally rescued last year as a pup in Cornwall and was released in January but got himself in a little trouble back in June and needed our help at the GSPCA. Both pups had full health checks and were excellent weights on release.

“Pork Pie had a few old scars due to his previous health issues but was the first to get back into the water. Titan, the bigger of the two, was a bit unsure which way to go but once in the water enjoyed searching the coastline. They have been very close at the Shelter so they may well stay together but only time will tell.

“This time of year we see seal pups being born around the Channel Islands but it is extremely important to leave them alone and not approach them as you can scare away their mother. If you see a seal pup, please do give us a call on 257261 or send a few pictures via our Facebook page or email admin@gspca.org.gg so we can monitor them.”

For further advice on what to do and how to identify a sick seal pup read the advice page on the GSPCA website HERE.

Pictured top: Titan and Pork Pie with staff and volunteers of the GSPCA.

The GSPCA has successfully re-released 14 seal pups over the last ten years. They include Temperance, Andrew, Marty McSeal, Gully, Sealia, Mambo, Hannah, Pebbles, Joey, India, Aurora, Eliza, Jagho Herman and Luna C. You can scroll through images of them using the arrows under the picture below. Aurora and Eliza, other seal pups helped by the GSPCA, are not pictured.