Iceberg Lettuce the Seal Pup Nearing Release After Remarkable Recovery

Iceberg Lettuce the Seal Pup Nearing Release After Remarkable Recovery

The GSPCA is delighted to share a heartwarming update on Iceberg Lettuce, the last seal pup in our care this season, who is now close to being released back into the wild following an incredible rehabilitation journey.

Rescued in January, Iceberg Lettuce arrived at the GSPCA in need of intensive care and round-the-clock attention. Thanks to the dedication and expertise of our team, the pup has made outstanding progress over recent months.

Recently, Iceberg Lettuce reached an important milestone, moving from the GSPCA’s intensive care unit to the outdoor temporary pool. This specially created facility has been essential during the ongoing #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal, as construction continues on the new Wildlife Hospital and associated facilities.

Now weighing close to 50kg and demonstrating strong swimming and feeding behaviours, Iceberg Lettuce is thriving and almost ready to return to the sea in the coming days.

Geoff George, GSPCA Head of Marine Mammals, said:
"It’s been a fantastic effort from the team to get Iceberg Lettuce to this stage. From arriving in a vulnerable condition in January to now being nearly 50kg and showing all the signs of a healthy seal ready for release, it really is a success story. The temporary pool has worked incredibly well, allowing the pup to build strength and health."

Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager, added:
"Iceberg Lettuce’s journey highlights both the dedication of Geoff and our team and the importance of the support we receive from the community. While we celebrate this wonderful progress, it also reminds us that we are continuing to operate in temporary conditions during our Big Build and Wildlife Hospital project. We are incredibly grateful for all the support so far and continue to appeal for donations to help us complete these vital new facilities for the future of animal welfare in Guernsey."

The GSPCA extends its thanks to everyone who has supported Iceberg Lettuce’s care and the ongoing appeal. Donations, fundraising, and community backing remain crucial as work continues to build a modern Wildlife Hospital that will benefit thousands of animals for years to come.

To support the GSPCA and the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal, please visit: www.gspca.org.gg

To see our youtube channel and lots of videos of the seals please visit https://www.youtube.com/@TheGuernseySPCA

Steve continues

“Recently we had a fantastic sunny monumental time as we marked releasing our 49^th and 50^th seal pups in 15 years.  We also had Marie Gill join us who was the winner of the competition when we asked islanders to donate to the pups care and we chose at random a person to attend a release. The care Geoff provides to these pups is truly exceptional, and it’s thanks to his dedication—along with the support of our incredible staff, volunteers and the public—that we’re able to give seal pups like Icicle and Ice Ice Baby a second chance at life in the wild. As we celebrated this release, we are also continuing work on our new Wildlife Hospital as part of the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal . We are past the halfway stage of both the build and the fundraising, and we still need the community’s support to help us complete this vital facility. Every donation helps us continue caring for wildlife in need, from seal pups to hedgehogs and everything in between.”

“We are near the end of this seal pup season and but there may well be others needing our help and if you do see a seal in trouble please call us on 257261.”

“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 .”

Marie Gill said when she made her donation to enter the competition ‘I think the work you do is amazing we are so lucky in Guernsey to have such an inspiring GSPCA. Would love to be part of the release.’

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 .

Check out more on the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal – https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspcabiggestbuildappeal

To donate to our work and the other animals in our care https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

To see animals looking for new homes

https://www.gspca.org.gg/animals

To see our youtube channel and lots of videos 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

• 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
• Guernsey Together Saturday 13^th June 2026
• Classic Vehicle Show Sunday 21^st June 2026
• Take Your Dog to Work Day Friday 26^th June 2026
• Viaer Marchi Monday 6^th July 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.”