Jersey Children Learn All About Barnacle Bill During Special Online GSPCA Talk
The GSPCA was delighted to join Year 1 pupils at St Saviour School in Jersey for a special online talk on Tuesday 9th June, where the children learned all about the remarkable rescue, rehabilitation and release of Barnacle Bill, the young loggerhead turtle whose story captured the hearts of islanders and supporters around the world.
The pupils were keen to discover more about Barnacle Bill's incredible journey after the turtle was washed ashore on a Guernsey beach during severe storms in November 2023. The young loggerhead turtle, believed to have been only four to five years old at the time, was rescued by the GSPCA and provided with specialist care.
Although Barnacle Bill recovered well, international transport paperwork and arrangements meant the turtle remained in the care of the GSPCA for over a year. Once all permissions were in place, Barnacle Bill was transported to the Sea Life Centre in Brighton, where further preparations took place before the turtle could continue the next stage of the journey.
After another year of care and rehabilitation, Barnacle Bill was finally transported to the Azores, where the young turtle was successfully released back into the wild, completing an extraordinary international conservation success story.
During the online session, GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne shared photographs, youtube videos and stories from Barnacle Bill's time in Guernsey and answered a wide range of questions from the enthusiastic pupils, who were fascinated by the turtle's adventure and the work involved in helping wildlife in need.
GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne said:
"A huge thank you to the teacher and all of the Year 1 pupils at St Saviour School for inviting me to speak with them. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to share Barnacle Bill's incredible adventure, from being washed ashore in Guernsey after the storms of November 2023 through to the eventual release in the Azores.”
"The children asked some fantastic questions and were clearly very interested in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation. Education is a hugely important part of what we do at the GSPCA, and it is always inspiring to see such enthusiasm from young people.”
"We are also excited to share the progress being made through our #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal . Our new Wildlife Hospital is now over halfway through construction and will provide improved facilities for the thousands of wild animals and birds we care for every year. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who continues to support the appeal and help make this vital project a reality.”
"Thank you again to St Saviour School for the invitation and for giving us the chance to inspire the next generation of animal lovers and wildlife carers."
The GSPCA offers educational talks, school visits and tours to help students learn more about animal welfare, wildlife rehabilitation and responsible pet care.
For more information on educational talks and school visits, please email [email protected] or visit:
https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/education-and-schools
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
- Kitten Day 10th July 2026
- World Snake Day 16th July 2026
- Guinea Pig Appreciation Day 16th July 2026
- Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) 23rd – 27th July 2026
- Summer Guided Tours July/August 2026 to be confirmed
- South Show GSPCA Dog Show Saturday 8th August 2026
- West Show 12th-13th August 2026
- World Lizard Day 14th August 2026
- North Show 19th-20th August 2026
- International Dog Day 26th August 2026
- World Animal Month October 2026
- World Animal Day 4th October 2026
- Feral Cat Day 16th October 2026
- National cat Day 29th 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 4th 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.”
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