Lily the Seal can´t wait to see you all at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary during October school half term! (26th October - 1st November)
The Sanctuary´s much loved mascot Lily will be making special appearances throughout the week, she´s ready for selfies, high fives and seal shenanigans!
Will you be stopping by to say hello?
Jarvis´s Update : 19th October 2026 - The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is delighted to share that Jarvis, the common seal, who captured hearts across the country through an extraordinary community fundraising effort, is recovering well following his successful eye surgery.
The 10 year old seal underwent a specialist procedure this week to remove cataracts that had severely impaired his vision. Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of supporters who helped fund the operation, Jarvis is now resting comfortably under the close supervision of the Sanctuary´s expert animal care team.
Early signs are extremely encouraging, with Jarvis already showing positive progress as he begins his recovery journey. Read more.
Jarvis´s Update : 14th October 2026 - Thousands of supporters have come together to help a much-loved Cornish Seal Sanctuary resident take the next step towards sight, with a fundraising appeal for Jarvis the seal exceeding its £15,600 target ahead of his planned surgery this week.
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is celebrating the extraordinary success of its fundraising campaign to fund specialist cataract surgery for resident common seal Jarvis, who has lived with cataracts in both eyes since his rescue in 2016.
Thanks to overwhelming support from the local community and seal lovers across the globe, more than £16,000 has been raised through public donations, helping to make the potentially life-changing operation possible. Read more.
Jarvis´s Update : 8th October 2026 -
Thanks to the incredible generosity of the supporters, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary have now reached the fundraising target for Jarvis´s life-changing eye operation. The Seal Sanctuary are delighted to share that Jarvis is booked in for surgery next week. This vital operation could give him the opportunity to experience the world in a way he never has before, and the Seal Sanctuary simply couldn´t have got to this stage without your support.
From everyone at the Seal Sanctuary, to every person who donated, shared his story, and helped make this possible. Your kindness will have a lasting impact on Jarvis´s life, and we are incredibly grateful.
We will be keeping you updated on his progress and wish him all the luck in the world as he heads into surgery next week. Thank you for being part of Jarvis´s remarkable journey.
The Seal Sanctuary´s fundraiser is still open if you wanted to donate towards the ongoing aftercare Jarvis will need.
Jarvis´s Update : 1st October 2026 -
Fundraising appeal launched to give much-loved resident the chance to see for the very first time
A much-loved seal who has never seen the world around him could be given the gift of sight, thanks to specialist cataract surgery.
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek, Cornwall, has launched an urgent fundraising appeal to help give Jarvis, one of its much-loved resident seals, the chance to see for the very first time.
Jarvis was rescued in 2016 and has lived with cataracts in both eyes ever since. Now, specialist veterinary surgeons believe cataract surgery could give him the opportunity to experience sight for the first time in his life. Click here to read more.
To support Jarvis and help give him the chance to see for the first time, visit - GOFUNDME.
Fancy taking on your own personal challenge for the Cornish Seal Sanctuary?
Pups Update : 13th of October 2026 - The whereabouts of the rescued seal pups. Do you have a favourite yet? all of the staff have their own favourite rescued pup(s).
Hospital
Once the rescued seal pups are stable and are at a healthy weight in the hospital, they will be moved down to the outside nursery pools for their next stage of rehabilitation.
The rescued seal pups in the nursery pools are on the road to recovery and ready to mix with other seal pups, as well as have a deeper pool to swim in.
The pups will be learning how to behave in the wild, interacting with other seals and also competing for their fish, which are all vital skills the pups will need when they are released back into their ocean home.
Golka - nursery pool 3 Gouda - nursery pool 3 Babybel - nursery pool 4 Brie - nursery pool 4
Rehabilitation Pool
The 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.
Join the Cornish Seal Sanctuary this school half term (24th October - 1st November 2026) for a fun-filled family day out! Meet some of the rescued seal pups and learn all about the vital work involved in their rescue through the exciting pup rescue demonstrations.
Visitors will have the chance to see the pups onsite, explore our beautiful woodland and trails, and hear all about the seals from the teams. Keep an eye out for Lily the Seal, the friendly mascot, who will be making special appearances throughout the holidays.
With animal encounters, outdoor adventures, and plenty of seasonal fun, it´s the perfect way to make lasting family memories this autumn.
A young puffin found starving on the Cornish coast has joined the flock in the Puffin Island at Cornish Seal Sanctuary.
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary has welcomed a new member to its puffin crew. Morris was found weak and underweight at Hawks Point, and after a relay of phone calls and a dash across West Cornwall, has now settled in with ten new puffin friends on Puffin Island at the Sanctuary. Click here to read more.
The Sanctuary welcomes two new Beavers!
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is delighted to announce the arrival of two very special new residents, beavers named Steve and Terri!
Steve and Terri arrived at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary on the 24th of September 2026, following a period of care at Five Sisters Zoo in West Caulder, Scotland. Their arrival marks another exciting step in their ongoing partnership with Beaver Trust, supporting the conservation and reintroduction of beavers across mainland Britain. Read more.
What an incredible 24 Hour Global SEA LIFE TRUST Clean-Up!
Together, 957 volunteers across 45 locations removed an incredible 3,158kg of litter from our environment, that´s roughly the same weight as a newborn blue whale!
From fishing equipment and food packaging to cigarette butts, plastic bottles and vapes, every piece collected makes a difference.
A huge thank you to everyone who gave their time, got involved and helped collect to protect. SEA LIFE couldn´t have done it without you!
Date : Saturday 24th October 2026
Time : 10.30am
Location : Poldhu Cove
Join the Cornish Seal Sanctuary and the One Bag Beach Team to take part in the beach clean and protect our beaches and waterways!
Let´s keep our beaches beautiful, protect local wildlife, and have a fun afternoon out!
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.
Meet the new Pygmy Goats in the Paddock!
Recent arrivals Blackberry, Heidi and Pepper are just getting used to their new home in the top paddock.
Blackberry is very friendly and loves a scratch!
Pepper is a bit shy, but is slowly coming out of his shell and Heidi definitely thinks she is the BOSS and loves to headbutt everyone!
The Sanctuary are keeping Blackberry, Heidi and Pepper separate from Marvin and Bertie whilst the Team do all the health checks. Once they get the "All Clear" from the vet, the team can begin the introductions!
The grounds staff have been busy over the past few weeks building a new adventure play area for the Goats!
The Sheep enjoying the mid morning Autumn´s sun munching on the grass in the Paddock!
PRE ORDER - The Sanctuary´s Calendar for 2027!
Get organised for 2027 with our unique Sanctuary´s Calendar! Filled with stunning photos of our resident seals and adorable rescued pups, this calendar brings a touch of sanctuary magic to every month of the year.
Enjoy a year of seals and puffins while supporting the vital work we do caring for marine animals in need.
Please note: This calendar is available for pre-order only and will be dispatched once stock becomes available.
Find your new Best Friend
For just £4 a month you can help care for the seals and puffins who live permanently at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.
These animals cannot return to the wild due to long-term health conditions or specialist care needs. Here, they have a safe home for life.
Your support helps provide the care they depend on every single day. Find your new best friend today - via this link!
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary´a 2027 Keeper for a Day experiences are now available to book, giving animal lovers the chance to step behind the scenes and work alongside the dedicated team.
Keeper for the Day experience runs Tuesday to Thursday from the 1st of April to the 31st of August each year.
Costing £175 for the Keeper with an optional observer for an additional £25 (including lunch).
It´s a unique opportunity to get closer to the seals, learn about their care, and create memories that will last a lifetime. With limited spaces available, it´s the perfect gift to put under the tree this Christmas!
Book here...this link will take you to the Official Cornish Seal Sanctuary´ website.
Last July Cornwall Council during their meeting, voted 100% for
voluntary ban of hollow flying rings. We are sure that your county wants to demonstrate that you are just as caring towards our marine life, so please push for a voluntary ban on flying rings in your areas.
We have 66,811 signatures so far and on our way to 100,000, so pushing for real change and action. Local authorities voting on voluntary bans; retailers switching to solid disc frisbees; and growing awareness of the harm flying rings cause to seals.
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.
This isn´t about stopping people from enjoying the beach; it´s about making a small, simple change that has a huge impact. Solid flying discs are just as fun, but unlike flying rings, they don´t pose a deadly risk to seals, dolphins, and other marine wildlife. By making the right choice, we can all help prevent the needless suffering of our coastal animals.
This month the following seals were spotted in the wild around the coast of south-west England:-
Sue Sayer MBE said "Goonies was at West Cornwall on the 1st of October 2026 and looking pregnant! She is 8 years old so not necessarily pregnant for the first time. Either way thriving back in the wild!"
(c) Photo Credit : Terry Thirlaway - Turtle - 9th October 2026
(c) Photo Credit : Joyce Williams - Mayonnaise - 16th October 2026
By monitoring the behaviour of seals after being 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.
The 2026/27 Pupping Season is in full swing! The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, British Divers Marine Life Rescue, Seal Reserach Trust and other organisations have received reports of the pups of being born around the coast of Cornwall, so we need your help to get the word out that these pups and mums need their space!
Spotting marine mammals around the UK coast is an unforgettable experience but it´s important to give them space.
Disturbing them can put animals and people at risk, and can even be against the law.
