Three Seal Pups Returned to the Wild at Portelet This Morning

Three Seal Pups Returned to the Wild at Portelet This Morning

The GSPCA is delighted to announce the successful release of three grey seal pups—Avalanche, Glacier and Frosty—back into the wild this morning at Portelet. After months of intensive care, rehabilitation and dedicated monitoring, the trio made their way into the sea just after 10.30am on what was a beautifully sunny spring morning.

All three pups were released at healthy weights of over 50kg each, an incredible milestone considering they were each only a quarter of that size when rescued over the past few months. Their successful rehabilitation marks another proud moment for the GSPCA’s marine mammal team.

Helping with the release were:

• Geoff George, GSPCA Head of Marine Mammals
• Danni Brouard, who assists Geoff daily with the pups’ evening care
• Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager
• Luke Roussell, GSPCA Ambulance Driver
• Katie Holloway, GSPCA Animal Care Assistant

Before release, the pups cautiously checked their surroundings on the slipway before confidently entering the water. They explored the shallows for several minutes before swimming strongly out to deeper waters—exactly the natural behaviour the team hope to see from seals ready to thrive back in the wild.

This morning’s release also marks an extraordinary achievement for the charity: 48 rescued seal pups released back into Channel Island waters over the last 14 years.

While celebrating today’s success, the GSPCA continues to care for its current group of pups—Blizzard, Iceberg Lettuce, Ice Ice Baby and Icicle—all of whom are improving daily. They will soon be strong enough to move into the larger rehabilitation pool where Avalanche, Glacier and Frosty completed their final stages of care.

Quote from Geoff George, GSPCA Head of Marine Mammals

“Avalanche, Glacier and Frosty have each had their own challenges during their rehabilitation, but they’ve been an absolute joy to care for. Yesterday we prepared a special ramp from the temporary rehab pool to help with boxing them for transport, and it worked brilliantly—we had all three pups safely into their travel kennels in record time. Watching them head back into the sea today was incredibly rewarding. They were calm, confident and behaved exactly as healthy seals should. I’m extremely proud of how far they’ve come and grateful to everyone who supports the work we do.”

Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager said

“Today has been a fantastic moment for the GSPCA team. 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 Avalanche, Glacier and Frosty a second chance at life in the wild. As we celebrate this release, we are also continuing work on our new Wildlife Hospital as part of the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal. We are now at 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.”

Steve continued “We are near the end of this seal pup season and but with the recent stormy weather there may well 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 including today release an incredible 48 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 .”

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 .

To donate to Mr B 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 from this mornings release 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

• 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
• EDABL Seafront Sunday 26^th April 2026
• 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
• Guernsey Together Saturday 13^th June 2026
• EDABL Seafront Sunday 21^st June 2026
• Classic Vehicle Show Sunday 21^st 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
• EDABL Seafront Sunday 19^th 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
• EDABL Seafront Sunday 30^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.”