Didier, Maya, Faulkner and Jem the Jersey seal pups released back into their home waters #WithoutUs

Submitted by Steve on 11:45, 28th Apr, 2024 | 0

Yesterday for the first time in 5 years the GSPCA were able to return Jersey rescued seal pups back into their home waters thanks to Condor Ferries and all involved.

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Yesterday was the first time since 2019 that we have been able to return Jersey grey seal pups back into the waters from where they were rescued.”

“Condor Ferries helped provide the transport for our GSPCA transit which Geoff George Head of Marine Mammals accompanied by his partner and seal volunteer at the GSPCA Danni Brouard headed over to Jersey after boxing up Didier, Maya, Faulkner and Jem with help from GSPCA team member Luke Roussell.”

“The team met up with the BDMLR Channel Island team who rescue the poorly seal pups in Jersey and a wonderful release took place on Anneport Beach.”

“Huge thanks to Donna Gicquel de Gruchy from BDMLR for co-ordinating the release site and the control on the beach for a safe and well co-ordinated release.”

“Also huge thanks to the Jersey and Guernsey States Vets for their help.”

“The release went so well and all 4 pups didn’t waste anytime getting back into their home waters.”

To see Fridays write up before they left please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/jersey-seal-pups-after-months-care-gspca-about-so-sail-south-jersey-be-released-thanks-condor-f

There are many ways to help us help the 6 seal pups and here are a few ideas –

Donate to their care https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
We are in need of fresh mackerel and herring
We need a new commercial washing machine to wash the towels we use for the seals and many other animals bedding (£7400)
Please support the new Wildlife Hospital to replace the current building https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggest-build-appeal

Geoff George GSPCA Head of Marine Mammals said “The seal release for Didier, Maya, Faulkner and Jem the seal pups in Jersey went extremely well yesterday and thank you to Donna and all the BDMLR team for their help and support.”

“We still are caring for Valentine, Dolly, Doyle, Grinch, Baby Shark and Ghost the newest local seal pup and all are doing very well and we are now preparing to release 2 of these hopefully in the next week or so in local Guernsey waters.”

Thank you again to Condor Ferries for help with the free transport.”

“Faulkner and Jem were rescued in November and Didier and Maya in January and they had all doubled, tripled or even quadrupled their rescue weight so were very ready to be released.”

“There are lots of ways to support the seals in our care from donating to their care and we really could do with some fresh mackerel to feed them.”

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager continued “Geoff Head of Marine Mammals and the team have had the busiest season in 151 years with seal pups, we have never ever had 10 at one time before.”

“After another magical release in Jersey and sadly the first I have missed in my 13 years at the GSPCA, but got to see VT’s and pictures of the 4 Jersey pups Didier, Maya, Faulkner and Jem returning to their home waters after a long road of recovery we still have 6 more to get ready for their return to Guernsey waters.”

“We are so thankful to so many that have already donate to their care and a special thanks to Condor Ferries who helped to get them back to where they were found and likely born.”

“Our large GSPCA transit is now on its way back to Guernsey and it has been a long time since a GSPCA will have been seen on Jersey.”

To see the BDMLR Channel island facebook page please visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066838792422

To visit Condor Ferries page please go to https://www.condorferries.co.uk/

Steve continued “From donating to their care, to any fresh mackerel, a new under counter fridge to a commercial washing machine and our BIGGEST fund raiser our Wildlife Hospital plans really need your support.”

“We weren’t planning on caring for seals long term this season and we have a number of challenges and really need help.”

“One was storage and we must say a huge thanks to Ferry Speed who are kindly housing the pallets of fish we are using for the seal pups, it is really appreciated.”

“As mentioned we do need mackerel and herring if anyone has any but feeding poorly animals we animals need in date human edible quality to ensure we give the seal pups the best diet and chance to build their health.”

“The recent months have seen many challenges with the storms both for the seal pups and the Shelter as we continue to repair the damages caused especially from Storm Ciaran.”

“As well as funds we really need a couple of portakabins to house some of the displaced animals including the seals during the rebuild until we can build new enclosures and also ahead of our BIG BUILD and also a container for storage.”

“Valentine, Dolly, Doyle, Grinch, Baby Shark, Ghost and Barnacle Bill the loggerhead turtle are just 7 of the casualties due to the winter storms.”

“In the last decade we have released 36 grey seal pups back into the wild with this weekends release, 6 in Jersey and30 in Guernsey.”

"We have some great web pages with advice on what to do if you see a seal pup which are being born at this time of year or oiled birds, although we are only a call away on 257261."

"With young seal pups the main piece of advice is to please not approach them as you can scare their mother away and if you see one to please call us on 257261 and we can make sure they are safe or give advice."

"For those out with dogs please don't let them approach seal pups as this can scare their mothers off and if they were to bite your dog and cause a nasty injury."

“The pup season is towards the latter part, but if you do see a seal pup please do give us a call on 257261 or send a few pictures via our facebook or [email protected] so we can monitor them.”

“For advice on what to do and how to identify a sick seal pup check out our advice page http://www.gspca.org.gg/animal/seal-advice “

“Please help us help the seals of the Channel Islands.”

“To make a donation to help the animals in our care please go to https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA) .”

“You can also donate by calling 01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or popping up to the Shelter in St Andrews.”

“To make a donation or support our BIGGEST BUILD Appeal please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/biggest-appeal-ever-gspca-big-build-appeal-buy-brick-build-brighter-future-animals-guernsey .”

“If you can help with any of our wish list items like the commercial washer or under counter fridge please do give us a call or email me on [email protected] .”

To see videos of the seal pups please check out GSPCA Guernsey - YouTube

If You Spot A Seal Pup

If you find a seal pup that looks FIT AND HEALTHY and it shows no signs of distress, you may consider monitoring it from a safe distance for 24 hours. Unfortunately, too many seal pups get taken into captivity because people think they have been abandoned. If the mother does not return within 24 hours, we would ask you to contact 01481 257261.

A healthy pup looks like a big, stuffed maggot without a neck. However, a thin pup looks sleek (but not bony) and has a visible neck, like a healthy dog.

PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE SEAL. They can give a nasty bite, which will become infected by bacteria that live in a seal’s mouths.

Note: Do not allow dogs or other animals to harass a seal.

If a seal is scared back into the water, it could then be washed out to sea by strong currents and be lost. You should not put a seal pup back in the sea as it may get into difficulty.

If a seal pup is sick, thin or injured then we would ask you to contact our 24-hour cruelty and advice line

When reporting an injured, sick or abandoned seal to the GSPCA, please make sure you are able to supply the following information:

Exact location; nearest town / village
Position on the beach, and state of the tide
How long you have observed the pup; any disturbance / risk to it; whether the mother has been seen
Any wounds / obvious signs of illness
Length/colour/condition.

Caution:- Handling of any animal either domestic, wild, dead or alive may be potentially hazardous. Obvious dangers include bites, scratches and general hygiene issues. Common sense should be applied in all instances and, if unsure, seek additional advice or assistance. Personal hygiene should be taken into consideration after handling any animal, whether it’s domestic, wild, dead or alive.

For any questions please contact 01481 257261

Please remember and keep your animals and pets safe during the high winds, especially those that are kept outdoors.

Here is a table of the seals we have helped back to the wild and those in our care -

Name

Jethou Bumblee

Hanois

Trinity

Eden

Bonnie

Sami

Temperance

Andrew

Marty

Gully

Sealia

Mambo

Hannah

Pebbles

Joey

Titan

India

Pork Pie

Aurora

Eliza

Jagho Herman

Luna C

Blueberry

Sizzle

Maverick

Shakespeare

Emilia

Echo

Hector

Cleopatra

Henny

Peej

Faulkner

Jem

Grinch

Baby Shark

Maya

Didier

Doyle

Dolly

Valentine

Ghost

Arrived

November 2012

January 2013

January 2014

January 2016

December 2016

November 2017

November 2018

December 2018

January 2019

February 2019

February 2020

November 2020

December 2020

March 2021

May 2021

November 2021

December 2021

April 2022

October 2022

December 2022

January 2023

February 2023

April 2023

November 2023

December 2023

January 2024

February 2024

April 2024

Where found

Jethou

Guernsey

Jersey (released in Jersey)

Guernsey

Jersey

Jersey (released in Jersey)

Guernsey

Jersey

Guernsey

Guernsey (originally from Cornwall)

Jersey

Herm, Guernsey

Guernsey

Jersey

Guernsey

Jersey (released in Jersey)

Guernsey (currently in care at the GSPCA)

Jersey (released in Jersey)

Guernsey (currently in care at the GSPCA)

To see some of the previous stories about seals please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/tag/seals .

Some grey seal facts -

Population numbers since 1960s have doubled
A grey seal pup weighs 14kg at birth
A grey seal pup mothers milk contains 60% fat
Grey seals can dive to a depth of 70m
Another name for a grey seal is the horsehead seal
Grey seals are found in the waters surrounding Europe, Russia, North America, and Channel Islands
Grey seals can be found in estuaries, inter tidal zones, brackish water, polar and shallow seas
There are 18 known species of seal in the world
Many sick seal pups need tube feeding every 2-3 hours day and night on arrival
The seal pups in our care once eating will consume 20-30 herring or mackerel each day
We aim for a release weight in excess of 40 kg, with good weather and a remote location
The GSPCA has returned 36 seals back to the wild in the last 12 years

For advice on what to do if you see or find sick or injured wildlife please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/wildlife-advice or call 01481 257261

To videos of the seal pups and other animals please visit https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGuernseySPCA

Donate

Donate by calling 01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or online https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

BIGGEST BUILD APPEAL

The GSPCA have the BIGGEST BUILD APPEAL in our 150 year history and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/biggest-appeal-ever-gspca-big-build-appeal-buy-brick-build-brighter-future-animals-guernsey

GSPCA Celebrates 150 years in 2023 and 151 years in 2024

This year the GSPCA celebrate 150 into 151 years and to find out more please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years

Sponsored Event

Why not create your own sponsored event or challenge - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

For lots more ideas why not visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising

Wish List

Check out our wish list page from the smallest of items to our biggest of projects there are many ways to support us - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list

To visit our Amazon Wish list to see some of the items we need to help the wildlife please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList

GSPCA Wildlife Hospital Appeal

To make a direct donation please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4618/Please-Support-the-GSPCA-Wildlife-Hospital-Appeal

To Buy a Brick in the new Wildlife Hospital and download a leaflet please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Buy%20a%20Brick%20Wildlife%20Hospital.pdf

Larger donors or corporates may want to make a larger donation and become an Exclusive Build Partner and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner

Legacies & Bequests

By leaving a gift to the GSPCA in your Will really helps us to improve the lives of animals into the future. After providing for those you care for, please consider leaving a proportion of what remains to the GSPCA it is so appreciated and makes a real lasting legacy.

A gift like this to the GSPCA ensures our animals and those in Guernsey will always have someone to keep them safe. To find out more please http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding

Gift Aid on Donations over £500

To find out about the States of Guernsey tax relief information on gift aid up to 2020 on donations totalling between £500 and £5000 please see the details by going to https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=2617&p=0

2021 gift aid is from £500 and up to £7500 and here are the details - https://www.gov.gg/article/151830/Income-tax-relief

To download the form to claim for 2020 or before please follow this link https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1994&p=0

Become a sponsor and GSPCA member

Why become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor and support our work each month please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf

To become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf

Share our posts and follow us on social media

Many of you will have seen us on social media and your support liking and sharing our posts is really appreciated, and to visit our social media pages please go to

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GuernseySPCA

Twitter https://twitter.com/GSPCA

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gspca-guernsey-965b0751/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gspca_guernsey/

Subscribe to our Supporters Newsletter

To subscribe to our supporters newsletter and find out about upcoming events and news please go to https://us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9324335c87c8b3ec9f0016f2a&id=e61c951a08

Below are our usual opening times but these are occasionally adjusted to ensure we provide the best of care for the animals and those needing our 24/7 help, in an emergency please call 01481 257261

	Reception & Shop area	Collecting/Dropping Off Boarding Dogs & Cats	Viewing animals for adoption	Emergencies Call 257261 or the Shelter is manned 24/7	GSPCA Charity Shop in Smith Street
Monday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Tuesday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Wednesday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Thursday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Friday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Saturday’s	9am – 5pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	8am - 530pm
Sunday’s	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	11am – 4pm	24/7	Closed
Bank Holiday’s (Varied times)	Possibly 11am – 4pm	Possibly 11am – 4pm	Possibly 11am – 4pm	24/7	Closed unless advertised