Percival the Puffin Nearly Ready for Release Following Weeks of Specialist Care at the GSPCA
A puffin found covered in oil on Guernsey's coastline is finally nearing release after weeks of dedicated care and rehabilitation at the GSPCA.
Named Percival, the seabird was discovered exhausted and contaminated in waste oil, a situation that can be life-threatening for any seabird but especially for a species as delicate as the Atlantic Puffin.
Whilst many people assume an oiled bird can simply be washed and released, the reality is far more complicated. The oil destroys the bird's natural waterproofing, causing feathers to lose their ability to keep water away from the body. Although Percival underwent specialist washing to remove the contaminant, those washes also strip away the bird's natural oils. It then takes weeks of careful rehabilitation, appropriate diet, minimal stress, and regular monitoring for the bird's own waterproofing to return.
Only once the feathers are once again fully waterproof and the bird can remain buoyant and dry in the water can release be considered.
Puffins are particularly challenging patients as they spend almost all of their lives at sea and have very little interaction with people. They only return to land to breed, nesting in burrows on remote islands and cliff tops between April and July before heading back out into the open ocean.
The puffins currently breeding on Herm will soon begin leaving the islands and spend the next eight months at sea, making Percival's recovery and timely return to the wild especially important.
GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne said:
"Percival has been a very special patient and everyone at the GSPCA is delighted with the progress he has made. When he first arrived covered in oil, his future was very uncertain."
"People often think that once an oiled bird has been washed it can be released immediately, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The oil damages the feathers and removes the bird's ability to keep itself waterproof, whilst the washing process itself removes the natural oils that the bird relies on."
"The rehabilitation period afterwards is absolutely critical. We have to ensure the bird regains its natural waterproofing, is maintaining its weight, feeding properly and can stay completely dry and buoyant in the water before release is even considered."
Steve continued:
"Puffins are one of the most delicate species we care for. They are incredible birds that spend almost all their lives at sea and don't cope particularly well with captivity, so every effort is made to keep disturbance to an absolute minimum whilst providing them with the specialist care they need."
"We are very much looking forward to seeing Percival return to the wild and hopefully join the other puffins from Herm as they head back out into the Atlantic for the next part of their remarkable lives."
The successful rehabilitation of birds like Percival highlights the importance of the GSPCA's #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal, which is helping to fund a new purpose-built Wildlife Hospital.
The charity is currently around halfway towards its fundraising target and still needs significant support to complete the project.
Steve added:
"Cases like Percival show exactly why the new Wildlife Hospital is so important. Every year we care for more than 3,000 wild animals and birds, and the facilities we have been working from were never designed for the demands we now face."
"The new Wildlife Hospital will provide improved rehabilitation areas, treatment rooms and specialist facilities which will help us give puffins, seabirds, hedgehogs, seals and so many other species the very best chance of survival and successful release."
"Percival's story is a wonderful example of what can be achieved with time, expertise and the support of our community. We cannot wait to see him spreading his wings back in the wild, and we hope stories like his will inspire people to support the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal and help us build a brighter future for Guernsey's wildlife."
The GSPCA hopes to release Percival in the very near future, weather and sea conditions permitting, marking the end of a long rehabilitation journey and the start of his return to life at sea.
Check out more on the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal – https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspcabiggestbuildappeal
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Upcoming events
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- 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
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- World Wildlife Conservation Day 4th December 2026
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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 ."
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“Thank you for your support.”
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