The Cornish Seal Sanctuary has welcomed its first seal pup of the season - a tiny female grey seal named Babybel. Babybel was rescued from Port Gaverne on the 6th of August 2026, when she was estimated to be around seven days old. At that age, she should still have been resting on the beach with her mother, who would normally return to nurse her. Experienced volunteer marine mammal medics from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) carefully monitored Babybel at the beach for 48 hours, giving her mother every opportunity to return. Sadly, Babybel was becoming increasingly weak and it was becoming unlikely that she would be reunited with her mother. She was therefore brought to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, where the animal care team could provide the specialist care she needed. Since arriving at the Sanctuary, Babybel has been rehydrated, closely monitored and given time to rest. The good news is that she is already making great progress and has learnt to feed herself.

For now, Babybel´s days are all about eating, sleeping and growing stronger and has recently moved outside into the Sanctuary´s nursery pools, where she will build her strength, interact with other seal pups and learn the essential skills she will need to survive in the wild. When she has reached a healthy weight and the animal care team are confident she is ready, Babybel will be released back into the sea. Babybel also marks the beginning of this year´s naming theme at the Sanctuary - cheese! After last season´s sweet treats, the team decided to give this year´s rescued pups a deliciously cheesy theme, with Babybel being the first name on the menu. "Babybel is such a tiny pup, but she has already shown us what a little fighter she is," said Beth Goodridge, Animal Care Specialist at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary. "We´re really pleased with the progress she´s making. For now, she has one very important job - eating, sleeping and growing! And our team will be with her every step of the way." The arrival of Babybel also marks the beginning of what can be one of the Sanctuary´s busiest times of year. Each season, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates dozens of grey seal pups from around the Cornish coastline, many of which arrive after becoming separated from their mothers, suffering from injuries or becoming weak and malnourished.

Give seal pups space this season As grey seal pupping season gets underway around the Cornish coast, the Sanctuary is also reminding people that not every seal pup found alone on a beach needs rescuing. Grey seal mothers can leave their pups on the beach while they feed at sea and may be watching from a distance. Approaching a pup can cause unnecessary stress and may prevent its mother from returning. The Sanctuary is asking beachgoers to:- -   Keep your distance - government guidance advises staying at least 100 metres away from marine wildlife where possible, and giving animals even more space if they show signs of disturbance. -   Never touch, approach or chase a seal pup. -   Keep dogs on leads around seals and move further away if a seal appears disturbed. -   Never put a seal pup back into the sea. Young grey seals spend significant amounts of time out of the water while resting. -   Watch quietly from a safe distance. If a pup appears thin, injured, unwell or distressed, seek expert advice rather than approaching it. -   Contact the experts if you are concerned. The Cornish Seal Sanctuary can provide advice on 01326 221361, or members of the public can contact BDMLR on 01825 765546. Babybel´s story is a reminder that while some pups genuinely need help, the best thing people can often do for a healthy pup is simply give it space and allow its mum the chance to return. The Cornish Seal Sanctuary´s specialist team will now continue to care for Babybel around the clock as she takes her first steps towards a return to the wild.