Pup Update - 5th March 2025 : Leaf Cutter has been doing so well in her rehabilitation since the operation! While in the hospital, she enjoyed some ice enrichment, but now she´s taken the next big step, and started the second stage of her recovery!
Leaf Cutter has joined Hairy Henry, a fellow rescued pup, in the outside nursery pools. Together they´re learning essential survival skills, including how to compete for food, an important step in preparing for life in the wild! The Animal Care Team are so proud of her progress and cannot wait to see her continue to thrive!
These rescued pups are in the outside pools for their final stage of rehabilitation which means they are on the road to recovery and ready to mix with other seal pups, as well have deeper pools to swim in.
The pups in the pools are learning how to behave in the wild, interacting with other seals and also competing for their fish, which are all vital skills seal pups will need when they are released back out into the wild.
Pup Update - 15th March 2025 : Flea and Selkie have completed their rehabilitation and reached their ideal release weight of 30kg+. They were released back into the wild at Dollar Cove Gunwalloe on the 12th of March 2025.
A few days before the pups were released, each pup was fitted with specialist GPS tracking equipment. This innovative step will provide valuable insights into the pups´ movements and behaviours as they return to the sea. The study, which is first of its kind in Southwest England, is part of the GPS tracking equipment for 15 grey seal pups of the 2024/25 rescue season being issued with the tags to examine their at-sea behaviour. The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is working alongside Dr Luis Huckstadt, senior lecturer at the University of Exeter as he leads this exciting pilot study.
Click here to see a selection of these and further photos of their release.
Hairy Henry was released back into the wild at Dollar Cove Gunwalloe on the 13th of March 2025.
Click here to see a selection of these and further photos of his release.
Update - 17th March 2025 : Michael is back in the hospital for a few days until he feels a bit better. Don´t worry he is getting lots of TLC from the animal care team.
Update - 24th March 2025 : Good news...Michael has completed his course of antibiotics and is now back in the outside rehabilitation pool.
This rock in the rehabilitation pool is now known as the Luis Woodlouse´s favourite spot! He can be seen relaxing here and loves being admired by the visitors!
As the clocks in the UK go forward and spring approaches, nature is waking up, but at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, visitors have a rare opportunity to see something usually hidden from view : puffins in their winter plumage!
Puffins typically spend the colder months far out at sea, meaning their winter beaks are almost never seen by the public. However, thanks to the sanctuary´s rescued puffins, who call Puffin Island home, visitors can witness this fascinating seasonal transformation up close.
"As we welcome longer days and the arrival of spring, our puffins are just starting to transition from their winter plumage to their vibrant summer colours" said Heather Green, Animal Care Specialist at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, "It´s a truly unique sight and a rare chance to see how these incredible seabirds change with the seasons."
With the arrival of British Summer Time and the extra daylight hours, now is the perfect time to visit and watch the puffins as they prepare for the breeding season. Soon, their sleek winter feathers will give way to the bright orange beaks and bold markings they´re famous for.
The rescued puffins at the sanctuary provide an important opportunity for education and conservation awareness. As wild Puffin populations face challenges from climate change and habitat loss, the sanctuary is dedicated to protecting these iconic seabirds and sharing their story with visitors.
Don´t miss this fleeting moment; visit the Sanctuary to see the puffins in their winter best before they fully transform for spring.
Guess the weight of a Seal Pup?
We Have a Winner! - A massive THANK YOU to everyone who visited the Sanctuary over February half-term and took part in the "Guess the Weight of the Pup" competition with the most adorable seal pup, Neil! The Cornish Seal Sanctuary raised a generous £136, which goes towards the care of the rescued pups!
We had guesses from a teeny 3.33kg all the way up to a whopping 100.20kg - that´s even heavier than Banana!
And our lucky winner is...Megan Richards! Her guess of 14.75kg was super close to Neil´s actual weight of 14.59kg!
Enjoy your giant seal plush, Megan! All funds raised will go towards our "Fund Our Future" project to help build our new seal pools.
Adopt a Resident?
Give a gift that truly makes a difference, adopt a resident today and be a hero for wildlife!
By adopting one of the incredible resident seals or rescue puffins, you´ll be directly supporting their care and conservation! Your adoption helps to ensure that all of the resident animals receive the very best, from nutritious meals to expert veterinary support, and even fun enrichment activities to keep them happy and healthy.
Each adoption pack includes:-
- Certificate of Adoption
- A small Cornish Seal Sanctuary souvenir
- Photograph of your adopted resident
- Profile of your adopted resident
Every adoption contributes to the ongoing efforts of the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, helping with the rescue, rehabilitate, and protect marine life for generations to come.
Your adoption not only supports your chosen animal but also plays a vital role in marine conservation. By adopting today, you become part of the Sanctuary´s mission to protect these wonderful creatures and their habitats.
Click here for more details.
Click here to visit the Cornish Seal Sanctuary´s Official Online Shop.
Calling All Young Artists...help to shape the future for seals in Cornwall!
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is inviting primary school-aged children in Cornwall to take part in celebrating an incredible milestone. As the Sanctuary at Gweek turns 50 years old, the focus is on creativity, education, and inspiring the next generation to protect marine life.
Children are encouraged to create a logo that captures the essence of the Cornish Seal Sanctuary´s work over the past five decades, while imagining a bright future for marine conservation. Click here to read more.
FOR KEEP BRITAIN TIDY GREAT BRITISH SPRING CLEAN
Date : Saturday 29th March 2025
Time : 10:30am
Location : Maenporth Beach, Maenporth Road, Falmouth, TR11 5
Join the Cornish Seal Sanctuary and SEA LIFE centres to take part in the Keep Britain Tidy Great British Spring Clean and protect our beaches and waterways! The Keep Britain Tidy Great British Spring Clean is your chance to make a difference!
Suitable footwear and clothing is advised. Children are welcome! All children must be supervised by a responsible adult. Don´t forget that everyone who takes part with the Cornish Seal Sanctuary gets free day entry* to the Sanctuary! *Pass must be redeemed within 12 months´ of beach clean.
If you are unable to attend this one in Cornwall, please visit your local SEA LIFE to find out more.
International Women´s Day
Celebrating Women in Conservation! - This International Women´s Day (8th March), we´re shining a spotlight on an incredible woman in marine conservation, our very own Curator, Tamara Cooper!
For over 24 years, Tamara has dedicated her life to rescuing and rehabilitating Grey Seal pups, helping over 900 seals return to the wild. From her first work experience placement at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary to leading pioneering rescue and rehabilitation efforts, her passion for marine life has never wavered.
One of her most memorable rescues? Sahara, a hooded seal found in Morocco, 1,000 miles from his Arctic home! Thanks to Tamara and the team, he was given a second chance!
With the Sanctuary celebrating 50 years at the site in Gweek this year, Tamara is looking forward to continuing her incredible work, ensuring more seals get the care they need.
Join us in celebrating Tamara and all the amazing women making a difference in conservation!
We hope you enjoy the selection of photos taken in March 2025, click here or on the photo of your choice below to see a larger version.
Each released seal pup is given a flipper tag with an unique ID number. This helps the Cornish Seal Sanctuary and the Seal Research Trust volunteers to track and monitor where pups end up and how they are doing once they are back in the wild.
This month the following seals were spotted in the wild by volunteers of the Seal Research Trust from around the South-West England and Wales coasts:-
Star Anise - Photo Credit - Sue Sayer MBE & Kate Hockley - Seal Research Trust - 20th March 2025
The information regarding tagged seals seen in the wild is copyright of the Seal Research Trust.
By monitoring the behaviour of seals after release back into the wild, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary and the SRT 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 Seal Research Trust volunteers 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.
Spring Opening Hours
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary has updated the opening hours for the Spring season!
