On the 15th November 2007 we received an email about Sahara, our hooded seal, that we had released off Scotland, this informed us that a rescue centre in Spain had rescued and taken him back for a health check. The health check revealed that Sahara was a little dehydrated, a bit of a lung infection and a little malnourished, but then he had swum over a 1000 miles without a break. Once he was clear of infection, we had to wait for the vets to decide his fate...

The decision took 7 days, and with his satellite tag still attached, we hoped he could be released back into the wild, this way we could still track him, and if he got into trouble again, we could find out where he was located and go and rescue him. Unfortunately the vets decided that due to him re-stranding again in Spain, he should not be released. This meant we had to find a permanent home for Sahara. Our search found that no one in Europe could give a home to Sahara at this present time, and so we decided to bring him home to Cornwall and the National Seal Sanctuary.

Now we had to find a way to get Sahara home. Luckily Brittany Ferries came to the rescue of Sahara and agreed to sponsor Sahara's return to the UK. We also had help from Vantastic van rentals of Carbis Bay, who provided the transport to get us to Plymouth and on to the ferry. With all the arrangements in place, it was time to go and collect Sahara from Spain. Tamara and Clare were booked on to the midday ferry from Plymouth on Sunday 2nd December 2007, but the forecast was to say a little unsettled and they were delayed for twelve hours. Soon they were on their way, and would arrive in Spain on Tuesday morning to collect Sahara.

The crossing was a little rough, and everyone did look a little green in the face, but would be glad to finally arrive in Santander. Due to the bad weather, the ferry was going to be in port for just over an hour before setting sail back to Plymouth. This meant that Sahara had to come to us, and so the rescue centre had less then 24 hours to make a cage to transport the seal to the port. The carpenter was set to work, and late on Monday evening Sahara's cage was finally ready. Sahara was woken early on Tuesday morning and was encouraged to move into his cage. Over the past few months Sahara has become use to this and went in to the cage with no fuss, and set out for the ferry.

At the port Sahara and the people who had been looking after him, were waiting for Tamara and Clare to transfer him to another cage before heading back to Cornwall. Once again Sahara with no fuss, went from one cage to another before being loaded in to the van.

All the passengers going back to Plymouth knew about the special guest on board and kept asking if he was doing ok. The crew were very helpful and would even go and check on him, and hose him down so he didn't get too warm. The ferry made good time and arrived back in Plymouth 8am on Wednesday morning, soon Sahara, Tamara and Clare were heading for the Seal Sanctuary at Gweek.

By 11am Tamara, Clare and Sahara arrived back at the Sanctuary, it was decided that Sahara should go in to one of the nursery pools temporarily. With Sahara used to spending so much time being transported in cages, he was reluctant to leave, but after spotting the nice cool water and the fish, Sahara went straight in to the pool.