First poorly grey seal pup of the 2025 sadly passes within hours of rescue from break waters at Fort Doyle

Late last night the first white coat grey seal pup was rescued of the 2025 pup season from the break waters at Fort Doyle. At less than two weeks of age the poorly pup was thin, exhausted and had a lot of health issues and sadly passed away shortly after being rescued despite the best efforts of the team

Geoff George Head of Marine Mammals said “Last night we were called out to a sick seal pup which was fitting at Fort Doyle and was struggling in the breakers.”

“At only 22kgs so half of the weight the pup was extremely poorly and sadly passed away shortly after the rescue.”

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “We are all extremely saddened at the GSPCA as last night shortly after rescuing the first seal pup of the Guernsey 2025/6 season it sadly died.”

“We help animals around the clock 365 days a year and sadly with some like the pup last night we aren’t always able to save them but we always do our very best we can.”

“We are at the start of the seal pup season and with the stormy weather this time of year we have no doubt there will be others needing our help and if you do see a seal in trouble please call us on 257261.”

“In the last 14 years we have managed to rescue and release an incredible 45 back into local waters.”

“Although we don’t have our traditional seal facilities as they were demolished earlier this year, we have created a fantastic area while the Wildlife Hospital is being built.”

“The Wildlife Hospital is part of our BIGGEST Build in our history and we really need your support and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggest-build-appeal .”

There are many ways to help us help the seal pups and their future and here are a few ideas –

• Donate to their care https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
• We are in need of fresh mackerel and herring
• Please support the new Wildlife Hospital to replace the current building https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggest-build-appeal

If You Spot A Seal Pup

If you find a seal pup that looks FIT AND HEALTHY and it shows no signs of distress, you may consider monitoring it from a safe distance for 24 hours. Unfortunately, too many seal pups get taken into captivity because people think they have been abandoned. If the mother does not return within 24 hours, we would ask you to contact 01481 257261.

A healthy pup looks like a big, stuffed maggot without a neck. However, a thin pup looks sleek (but not bony) and has a visible neck, like a healthy dog.

PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE SEAL. They can give a nasty bite, which will become infected by bacteria that live in a seal’s mouths.

Note: Do not allow dogs or other animals to harass a seal.

If a seal is scared back into the water, it could then be washed out to sea by strong currents and be lost. You should not put a seal pup back in the sea as it may get into difficulty.

If a seal pup is sick, thin or injured then we would ask you to contact our 24-hour cruelty and advice line

When reporting an injured, sick or abandoned seal to the GSPCA, please make sure you are able to supply the following information:

• Exact location; nearest town / village
• Position on the beach, and state of the tide
• How long you have observed the pup; any disturbance / risk to it; whether the mother has been seen
• Any wounds / obvious signs of illness
• Length/colour/condition.

Caution:- Handling of any animal either domestic, wild, dead or alive may be potentially hazardous. Obvious dangers include bites, scratches and general hygiene issues. Common sense should be applied in all instances and, if unsure, seek additional advice or assistance. Personal hygiene should be taken into consideration after handling any animal, whether it’s domestic, wild, dead or alive.

For any questions please contact 01481 257261

Please remember and keep your animals and pets safe during the high winds, especially those that are kept outdoors.

Here is a table of the seals we have helped back to the wild and those in our care -

To see some of the previous stories about seals please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/tag/seals .

Some grey seal facts -

• Population numbers since 1960s have doubled
• A grey seal pup weighs 14kg at birth
• A grey seal pup mothers milk contains 60% fat
• Grey seals can dive to a depth of 70m
• Another name for a grey seal is the horsehead seal
• Grey seals are found in the waters surrounding Europe, Russia, North America, and Channel Islands
• Grey seals can be found in estuaries, inter tidal zones, brackish water, polar and shallow seas
• There are 18 known species of seal in the world
• Many sick seal pups need tube feeding every 2-3 hours day and night on arrival
• The seal pups in our care once eating will consume 20-30 herring or mackerel each day
• We aim for a release weight in excess of 40 kg, with good weather and a remote location
• The GSPCA has returned 45 seals back to the wild in the last 14 years

For advice on what to do if you see or find sick or injured wildlife please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/wildlife-advice or call 01481 257261

To videos of the seal pups and other animals please visit https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGuernseySPCA

To see our youtube channel please visit https://www.youtube.com/@TheGuernseySPCA

To see events, ways to support and animals in need please see our latest blog https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog

Upcoming events

• Dog First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Tuesday 11th November 2025 - Ref – Dog11/11 https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses
• Cat First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 18th November 2025 - Ref – Cat18/11 https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses
• Careers and Skills Show 2025 19/20 November https://www.careers.gg/article/202061/Careers-and-Skills-Show-2025
• Christmas Term December 2025/January 2026 Possible Festive Tours
• GSPCA Purple Week 13^th February to Friday 20^th February 2026
• GSPCA Celebrates 143 years Saturday 14^th February 2026
• Love Your Pet Day Friday 20^th February 2026
• Half Term Tours February 2026 To be confirmed
• World Wildlife Day 3^rd March 2026
• International Day of the Seal 22^nd March 2026
• National Puppy Day 23^rd March 2026
• Easter Tours March/April 2026 To be confirmed
• National Ferret Day 2^nd April 2026
• Dog First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Wednesday 15th April 2026 Ref – Dog15/04
• Cat First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Wednesday 29th April 2026  Ref – Cat29/04
• Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday 3^rd May 2026
• Charities Seafront Sunday 17^th May 2026
• GSPCA Cupcake Week 15^th to 22^nd May 2026
• Half Term Tours May 2026 May 2026 To be confirmed
• Microchip Month June 2026
• Volunteers Week 1^st – 7^th June 2026
• Take Your Dog to Work Day Friday 26^th June 2026
• Kitten Day 10^th July 2026
• World Snake Day 16^th July 2026
• Guinea Pig Appreciation Day 16th July 2026
• Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) 23^rd – 27^th July 2026
• Summer Guided Tours July/August 2026 to be confirmed
• South Show GSPCA Dog Show Saturday 8^th August 2026
• West Show 12^th-13^th August 2026
• World Lizard Day 14^th August 2026
• North Show 19^th-20^th August 2026
• International Dog Day 26^th August 2026
• World Animal Month October 2026
• World Animal Day 4^th October 2026
• Feral Cat Day 16^th October 2026
• National cat Day 29^th October 2026
• Halt Term Spooky Tours October 2026 to be confirmed
• Dog First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 12th November 2026 Ref – Dog12/11
• Cat First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 26th November 2026 Ref – Cat26/11
• Possible Christmas Themed Animal Discovery Trail November/December 2026 to be confirmed with possible Ball
• World Wildlife Conservation Day 4^th December 2026
• Festive Tours December/January 2026/7 to be confirmed

Steve continued “There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA.”

“Our BIGGEST BUILD is now underway and we are desperately looking for support and to help in anyway please do get in touch and check out this link https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggestbuild-begins-demolition-underway-%E2%80%93-buying-brick-sponsorship-can-you-help .”

“To become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor donating each month to help the hundreds of animals in our care which you can do by downloading this form - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf or to become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf .”

“To think of helping animals and our work in your legacy or will please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding .”

“For those from those want to give CSR time and skills to those wanting to help sponsor or support something from our Wish List at the GSPCA http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .”

“If your group or business would like to find out about spending a day at the Shelter please go to -

http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days “

“For other ways your business can help us here at the GSPCA please go to -

http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship “

“If you would like to volunteer then to find out more details here -

http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or to complete the volunteer application form please check out https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=14 .”

"We also have vacancies at the GSPCA and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/vacancies ."

"For lots of ways to support our work please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years ."

“To visit our facebook page check out this link please click here .”

“To visit our x page please click here .”

“Thank you for your support.”