GSPCA reaches 50th seal release milestone

An animal rescue service is celebrating releasing 50 seals back into the wild in 15 years.

The Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) said the rescued grey seal pups, named Icicle and Ice Ice Baby, were released back into the wild at Portelet on Friday.

The charity said both pups had grown to a healthy weight of over 50kg (110lbs) each, having been only a quarter of that size when rescued.

Icicle was rescued near the Fairy Ring in a poorly condition with no mother in sight and Ice Ice Baby was found with fishing net tightly around his neck.

GSPCA head of marine mammals Geoff George said the pups have had their own challenges during their rehab but have "been an absolute joy to care for."

Steve Byrne, GSPCA manager, described the charity's latest seal pup release as "a fantastic sunny monumental time".

Byrne thanked his team for their "truly exceptional" work to give seal pups like Icicle and Ice Ice Baby "a second chance at life in the wild".

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