Young Grey Seal Pups Frosty, Glacier & Avalanche Set for Release as GSPCA Continues Wildlife Hospital Build

Young Grey Seal Pups Frosty, Glacier & Avalanche Set for Release as GSPCA Continues Wildlife Hospital Build

The GSPCA is celebrating another milestone in its busy seal rescue season, with three young grey seal pups – Frosty, Glacier and Avalanche – now almost ready to return to the wild. All three pups have more than doubled their body weight, grown strong, and developed excellent swimming abilities during their rehabilitation in the GSPCA’s temporary seal pool, which has been in use while the new Wildlife Hospital continues to rise on site as part of the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal.

The major redevelopment project is now over halfway complete, and fundraising continues to build the much‑needed modern facilities that will support future generations of marine and terrestrial wildlife.

Four Other Seal Pups Still Advancing Through Rehabilitation

While the three release‑ready seals make their final preparations, four additional rescued pups are still progressing through their rehabilitation journey. This includes:

• Blizzard – the first seal rescued this season and still learning key feeding skills
• Ice Ice Baby – the most recent arrival who was found with fishing netting tightly around his neck; his wound is healing well, and he is now allowed in the small first‑stage pool
• Iceberg Lettuce – still putting on essential weight
• Icicle – also continuing to gain weight steadily

Once Frosty, Glacier, and Avalanche are released back to the ocean, Head of Marine Mammals Geoff will look at moving the next seals in line into the larger training pool, giving them more space and depth to build strength and confidence.

There are many ways to help us help the seal pups and their future and here are a few ideas –

• Donate to their care https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
• We are in need of fresh mackerel and herring
• Please support the new Wildlife Hospital to replace the current building https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggest-build-appeal

Quote from Geoff George, GSPCA Head of Marine Mammals

“*Frosty, Glacier and Avalanche have done incredibly well and are now at the point where they are strong, confident, and ready to make their return to the wild. Each has more than doubled their weight since rescue, which is exactly what we want to see before release.

We still have four others moving through the rehabilitation stages. Blizzard, who was our first seal of the season, is still learning a few things and needs more time, especially with feeding independently. Our newest pup, Ice Ice Baby, had a nasty wound caused by netting around his neck, but that is healing extremely well, and he’s now allowed into the first‑stage pool. Iceberg Lettuce and Icicle are also doing really well and continuing to put on the vital weight they need.

Once the three ready-for-release seals head back into the sea, we’ll be able to move others forward into the larger pool that becomes available. It’s a big team effort, and we’re very proud of how each pup is progressing.*”

Quote from Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager

“The work that Geoff has done with these seven seal pups has been nothing short of outstanding. Each season is demanding, but Geoff’s dedication, expertise, and compassion ensure that every seal gets the very best chance of returning to the wild healthy and strong. It’s a huge commitment feeding them, treating injuries, and helping them learn the skills they need to survive – and we’re incredibly proud of his efforts.

This is also a reminder of why the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal is so important. Our Wildlife Hospital and specialist pools are essential for this kind of rescue work, and with the build now halfway through, we are pushing hard to raise the remaining funds. There are so many ways the community can help: from Buying a Brick, to sponsoring a room, sponsoring a solar panel, or even supporting a kennel or ferret pen within the new development.

For those wanting to help directly with the cost of caring for the seal pups, donations can be made through giving.gg. Every contribution, no matter the size, truly makes a difference to the animals we help every single day.*”

For more information on donating, sponsoring part of the new build, or supporting the GSPCA’s work with marine wildlife, please visit gspca.org.gg or search the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal.

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 release an incredible 45 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 see our youtube channel and a VT of the seal pups 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
• 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.”