Ginger, a 4 months old female grey seal pup, was rescued on the 20th of February 2023 from St Ives Bay by Alison and Nicole, of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) marine mammal volunteers medics. When Alison and Nicole arrived to check on the seal pup, they could tell by the tracks that the seal had clearly already been disturbed, but they initially thought it looked like the pup had found a safe spot to rest. However, the pup was totally exposed to the whole beach from another angle. Ginger´s breathing rate was high so monitoring until the tide came in was not an option as she needed assessing despite looking a good size. All the team found was slightly raised temp 38.4C, possibly a slightly swollen left hock, but definitely elevated breathing rate, minimal breath holds and wheezy and snotty. The seal pup was transported to the Sanctuary´s hospital via the veterinary practice of Head & Head in Helston for a clinical assessment.

Photos Credit : Alison Davey - BDMLR

Update - 26th February 2023 : Ginger´s weight is good at 26.5kg but needs some treatment and rest before she can be returned to the wild. Click here to see larger versions of these photos below which were taken on 25th February 2023 in the hospital.

Update - 6th March 2023 : This photo of Ginger was taken on the 3rd of March 2023 in the hospital pen 1. Flipper tag ID number is SL184 (white).

Update - 6th April 2023 : Ginger along with Horseradish, Sea Salt, Peppercorn, Kuri, Poppy Seed and Dill have completed their rehabilitation at the Seal Sanctuary and were released back into the wild on the 3rd of April 2023 at Kennack Sands.   Click here to watch a short video of the release.   Click here to see a selection of photos.

© Photo (right) Credit : Chris Webber (Freelance Photographer) British Divers Marine Life Rescue Medic

Update - 21st February 2026 : Ginger has been spotted at haul out along the coast of Cornwall on 14th December 2023, 15th, 18th & 25th January 2024, 5th, 6th, 8th, 15th & 17th February 2024, 14th March 2024, 18th November 2024, 30th December 2024, 13th January 2025 and 21st February 2026. © Photo credit: Sue Sayer MBE and Kate Hockley - Seal Research Trust - 25th January 2024

© Photo credit: Martin Yellard - Seal Research Trust - 21st February 2026

By monitoring the behaviour of seals after release back into the wild, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Seal Research Trust and other organisations can use this information to define the best practice standards and policies that they can share with the international rescue community. Each seal´s fur pattern is unique and enables the organisations to track them for life.   Seals face many challenges, yet we all depend on them to balance our marine ecosystem, which is essential to make the oxygen we breathe.   Seals are our globally rare wildlife tourist attraction, helping diversify coastal economic prosperity.