The Cornish Seal Sanctuary

The charity’s mission statement: To rescue and provide expert care for sick, injured, or distressed seals and other marine animals in need of help who are found around our shores.

During our visit to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, we were given a full tour of everything this spectacular place has to offer. From the grey seals, common seals, Humboldt penguins, Asian short-clawed otters, Californian sea lions, southern sea lions and even the paddock animals, we were introduced to the lot! Starting at the main convalescent pool, we met the resident grey seals. With each grey seal carrying their own unique story for living at the sanctuary, our tour guide taught us a lot in terms of the external threats seals are facing. From horrendous eye infections, wounds, entanglements to malnourishment, there are lots of reasons why seal pups need to be rescued. During pup season, adorable mischievous pups also live in this pool as part of their final stage of rehabilitation, where they learn how to fight for their fish and how to interact with the adult grey seals before they are released back into the wild.

Impressively, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary rehabilitate over 70 grey seal pups from local coastal waters each year. They are taken into the specialist seal hospital which has the necessary facilities to look after 6 poorly pups at one time. Each Seal costs an astonishing £2,000 to rehabilitate. This doesn’t include those seals who need extra surgery such as Ted who came to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary with a broken jaw and needed surgery. Harry, who came in was so entangled in netting his wounds were heartbreakingly life threatening. This is a few of the many reasons the public's kind help of donations is so vital to these incredible animals.

One of the best parts during our visit was hearing all the success stories regarding the seal releases. Once the rescued seal pups injuries have healed and they have reached a healthy weight, the team can release them back into the wild.

What the Cornish Seal Sanctuary provide:

A permanent home.

Ongoing care for seals and other marine animals who cannot be released back into the wild.

The release of the recovered Seals back into their natural environment once they are back to full health.

Educate and inspire generations to protect our seas and marine life, now and for the future.

Any donations are gratefully received as the money could go a long way to helping the seals get the care they really need!

£10 Provides toys to enrich our residents and keep them entertained.

£20 Buys a bottle of Zoolite (essential vitamins).

£50 Pays for a full vet visit for rescued seal pups.

£100 Feeds a pup in the hospital for 5 days.

£500 Covers a life saving surgery for one of our animals.