Pups Update : 30th May 2026 - The whereabouts of the rescued seal pups. Do you have a favourite? all of the staff have their own favourite rescued pup(s).
The outside rehabilitation pool is the final stage of the rescued seal pups recovery! The pups in this enclosure are now healed of any wounds, recovered from any illnesses, and some just need to put on a few more kilos to get to the target weight of 30+kg before they are released back into the wild.
Feeding rescued/rehab seal pups in the nursery and rehab pools!
At the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, the rescued pups get a very different kind of care compared to the resident animals.
Once the pups are out of the hospital and have completed their treatment, the team takes a step back, even feeding happens out of sight so they don´t begin to associate people with fish (as much as they´d probably love that arrangement)!
The goal is always the same - healthy pups that become wild seals!
Feeding and interacting with seals in the wild can cause more harm than good, for both seals and people. Once a seal starts linking humans with food, they can lose their natural wariness, which puts them at risk around boats, beaches, and busy coastal spots.
So, if you´re lucky enough to spot one in the wild, the best thing you can do is admire from a respectful distance, keep dogs on leads, and resist the urge to share your snacks...no matter how persuasive those big eyes look!
Release
Gelato has completed her rehabilitation and was released back into the wild on the 11th of May 2026.
During the release of Gelato, the animal care team were assisted by Alicia and Amanda, British Divers Marine Life Rescue marine mammal medic volunteers, who rescued this young pup from Sennen Cove on the 18th of March 2026.
Many of the pups were first responded to by British Divers Marine Life Rescue´s dedicated network of volunteers, who give up their own time to answer callouts, assist with rescues, and provide vital care for the animals in the critical days before they arrive at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary. This collaboration between the two organisations ensures that more animals can be reached quickly and given the best possible chance of survival.
We are delighted to share that both Pumpkin and Willow are recovering really well following their recent eye procedures to treat a corneal disease, common in seals in captivity.
It has now been a month since Willow´s operation, and she is back to her usual playful self. She recovered incredibly quickly, returning to eating fish just a day after surgery, and her eyes are healing nicely.
Pumpkin has also bounced back brilliantly, he´s back swimming, training, and enjoying life with his pool mates, all while looking very handsome in his fresh dark grey coat after his moult!
The team continue to monitor them both closely, but everything is looking very positive.
Join the Puffin Patrol this May School Half-Term!
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary have gone potty for puffins...with a week packed full of puffin-themed fun for the whole family between 23rd and 31st May 2026!
Join the Puffin Patrol and search the Sanctuary for the ten Icelandic Rescue Puffins, solve the clues and reveal the secret Puffin Patrol Password! Venture over to Puffin Island to discover their fascinating stories and watch these charming little birds zoom through the water. With talks and feeds, puffin themed craft and seal rescue demos throughout the week, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary has everything you need for a perfect family day out.
Did any of you pop along to the Bioblitz Event in Penryn University Campus, if you did, we hope you stopped to say hello to us on the Cornish Seal Sanctuary stand on Bank Monday 4th of May 2026.
Thank you to Seal Research Trust for lending us some of their metal A2 information signage boards!
Supporting Seals with Creek Lifestyle!
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary are incredibly grateful to businesses that help support our mission, and this month we´re shining a spotlight on Creek Lifestyle and their amazing support for the Sanctuary.
Through their business sponsorship, Creek Lifestyle are helping us continue providing life-long care to the resident animals and vital rehabilitation to rescued seal pups.
Want to support seals while treating yourself too? When you shop through the Creek Lifestyle store, 5% of every sale will be donated directly to the Sanctuary.
Be sure to check out the latest blog to learn more about the partnership and how your purchases can help make a difference!
Skydive for Seals 2026!
When : 26th July 2026 - 9am to 1pm
Where : Skydive Langar
Are you ready to do something unforgettable in 2026?
Join the Cornish Seal Sanctuary for Skydive for Seals and take on the ultimate challenge: a 15,000ft jump, 120mph freefall, and breath-taking views!
Every pound you raise will help support vital seal rescue, rehabilitation and the long term care of the resident animals at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.
Join the Cornish Seal Sanctuary and One Bag Beach Clean Team to celebrate World Oceans Day on Sunday 14th June 2026 at 10.30am at Maenporth beach for an hour to take part in the beach clean and protect our beaches and waterways!
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.
Something to Shout about!
We are so pleased to share that the Cornish Seal Sanctuary has been recognised by Which? as the "Best Wildlife Attraction in the UK".
This recognition reflects the dedication of our team, volunteers and supporters who help make the Sanctuary such a special place to visit, while supporting the rescue, rehabilitation and conservation work! Click here to read more.
It´s a Special Day - The Cornish Seal Sanctuary are releasing one of the Entertainment Team, Dawson, as he goes back to USA. Dawson has been the friendly voice that has rung around the Cornish Seal Sanctuary during talk times. After a successful career with the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, it is time for him to take on a new challenge!
All the Very Best Dawson, you´re much loved and will be missed! Thank You!
It´s time for this month´s naughtiest and nicest residents!
Pumpkin and Willow are our Nice Residents for being so good in the build up, during and post of having their eye surgeries. So Brave!
Aayla is our Naughty Resident this month for blocking the door of harbour view, she was also being impatient for her fish when the team are trying to come in to feed!
Join us for "No Mow May"!
This month the Cornish Seal Sanctuary are letting nature take the lead by taking part in "No Mow May!" By leaving areas of grass uncut, we´re creating vital habitats and food sources for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators around the Sanctuary.
Why not join us at home and let your garden grow wild too? Together, we can give wildlife a helping hand this spring!
Make your next visit extra sweet between May - September...Join the VIP Cream Tea & Guided Tour experience at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary. Start with a fascinating guided tour, where you´ll hear the stories of the resident animals, visit Cornwall´s oldest working Seal Hospital, and discover how we rescue, rehabilitate and release seal pups back to the wild.
Then unwind with a traditional Cornish cream tea, fresh scone, clotted cream, jam, and your choice of tea or coffee.
Afterwards, enjoy the rest of your visit at your leisure, from meeting the seals to soaking up views across the Helford River.
Every year, seals are injured by discarded flying rings and other plastic waste left behind on our beaches. These entanglements can cause devastating injuries, infections, and in some cases, can sadly be fatal.
One of the Cornish Seal Sanctuary´s Ambassador, Sarah Roberts, has been speaking out about the growing issue and why urgent action is needed to help protect marine life around our coastline.
We´re asking our supporters to stand with us by signing the petition calling for change and helping spread awareness about the dangers these items pose to seals in the wild.
Every name adds weight to protecting marine wildlife from unnecessary injury and suffering...
Please click on this link! and share the petition and help keep the momentum going. Together, we can make beaches safer for seals.
We went to check on a seal haul-out during low tide in Cornwall this month - we hope you like our photos. Click here to see a selection of photos.
These photos were taken with Nikon Coolpix P1000 camera which contains a 3000mm zoom lens!
Each released seal pup is given a flipper tag with an unique ID number. This helps the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, the Seal Research Trust and other organisations 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 around south-west England:-
By monitoring the behaviour of seals after released 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.
This news update has been put together by volunteers/supporters of the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.
