Percival the Puffin Returns to the Wild After Months of Specialist Care
A special chapter in one puffin's life came to a happy ending on Monday when Percival the Puffin was successfully released back into the wild by GSPCA Supervisor Yvonne Chauvel and Animal Collection Officer Luke Roussell at Fort Doyle.
The sunny conditions provided the perfect setting for Percival's return to the sea after months of dedicated care by the GSPCA team.
Percival was originally rescued after washing ashore covered in oil, weak and in poor condition. Puffins rely on their feathers being completely waterproof to survive at sea, and oil contamination can have devastating consequences, damaging the bird's ability to keep warm, float and feed.
Over several months, Percival received intensive treatment, rehabilitation and monitoring at the GSPCA. The team worked tirelessly to restore the condition of his feathers and improve his health until he was finally deemed fit enough to return to the wild.
Whilst Percival sadly missed this year's breeding season due to his lengthy rehabilitation, the timing of his release means he can now rejoin fellow puffins as they leave Guernsey's coastline and head to their offshore feeding grounds, where they spend the majority of their lives out at sea.
Yvonne Chauvel, GSPCA Supervisor and the charity's resident expert in caring for oiled birds, said:
"It was wonderful to see Percival back where he belongs. Oiled birds require a huge amount of specialist care and patience, and it can take many weeks or even months before they are ready for release. We have to ensure not only that they are healthy and at a good weight, but that their feathers are completely waterproof again. Watching Percival head back out to sea was incredibly rewarding for everyone involved in his care."
Luke Roussell, who assisted with the release, helped see Percival safely on his way as the puffin quickly settled back into his natural environment.
GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne said:
"When Percival first arrived with us, covered in oil and extremely weak, it was difficult to know whether he would make a full recovery. The dedication and expertise shown by Yvonne and the team over the last few months has been incredible. To see Percival healthy, waterproof and heading off on his release was fantastic and exactly why our wildlife rescue work is so important."
Steve added:
"Every year the GSPCA cares for thousands of wild animals and birds, and our new Wildlife Hospital will make an enormous difference to the care we can provide. Thanks to the incredible support of the public, our #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal continues to progress well, and we are hoping the new Wildlife Hospital will be completed by Christmas. This much-needed facility will help us care for the thousands of wildlife casualties that come through our doors every year, including puffins, seabirds, hedgehogs, bats, seals and many other species."
The GSPCA is continuing to appeal for support for the Biggest Build Appeal, with donations helping to create modern facilities for the rescue, rehabilitation and treatment of wildlife for generations to come.
Anyone wishing to support the appeal or the GSPCA's ongoing animal welfare work can donate online at www.gspca.org.gg, support the Buy a Brick Appeal, or contact the GSPCA on 01481 257261.
Every donation helps ensure animals like Percival get a second chance and can be returned to the wild where they belong.
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
- 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
- Sidneys Sponsored Events - Grease and Dirty Dancing Saturday 10th April 2027
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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