| Rescued Seal Pup "S´mores" doing well at Cornish Seal Sanctuary
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The Cornish Seal Sanctuary hospital has welcomed its first rescued grey seal pup of the season; a young female pup affectionately named S´mores (photo below), in line with this year´s naming theme of "Cakes and Desserts".
S´mores, thought to be just 4-5 weeks old, was rescued by British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) volunteers from Crackington Haven, near Bude. She was severely malnourished with several puncture wounds, and after being carefully monitored and stabilised by medics, she was brought into the Sanctuary´s expert care.
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Photo Credit : Michelle Robinson-Clement - BDMLR
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The little pup spent a few days in the Sanctuary´s isolation unit, before progressing to the hospital pens, where she is recovering well.
While S´mores is the first pup to graduate through to the on-view hospital pens, she wasn´t the Sanctuary´s first rescue this season. Sadly, another very young pup named Banoffee (photos below), who arrived at the end of August, developed a suspected septicaemia, and despite the team´s best efforts, didn´t survive. This is a reminder of how tough life can be for a wild seal pup and why the Sanctuary´s work is so vital.
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"Seal pup season can be full of highs and lows", said Megan Gunnell, Senior Animal Care Specialist. "Although it´s always heartbreaking when a pup doesn´t make it, each rescue gives us a chance to help many more pups like S´mores. "
Visitors can see S´mores during their visit to the Sanctuary, but the team are asking everyone to be mindful and keep quiet around her enclosure to avoid causing any stress or disturbance while she continues her recovery.
"We´re so pleased with how S´mores (photo below) is doing, she came in very weak and underweight, but she´s showing real determination, she has already started to feed herself, which is a great sign" said Megan Gunnell, Senior Animal Care Specialist at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.
"It´s still early days for her, so the best way the public can help is by keeping noise to a minimum when visiting, giving her the calm space she needs to grow stronger before she can return to the wild."
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The Cost of Care
On average, it costs the Sanctuary around £2,000 to rescue, rehabilitate and release a single seal pup.
"Every visit and donation to our Sanctuary really does makes a huge difference" said Jasmine Chater, Fundraising Coordinator at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary. "With rising costs of food, medicines and supplies, pup season is becoming increasingly challenging."
As a charity the Cornish Seal Sanctuary relies on the generosity of its visitors and supporters to continue their vital work. There are many ways that people can help, from visiting the Sanctuary, sponsoring a seal pup, leaving a donation in a will or fundraising, to simply spreading awareness about how to act responsibly around wild seals.
Jasmine continues "Our supporters mean the world to us, without them, we simply couldn´t give pups like S´mores the second chance they deserve".
Each pupping season (typically September - March), the Cornish Seal Sanctuary cares for dozens of vulnerable grey seal pups that need medical attention and rehabilitation before being released back into the wild. S´mores is the first of many who will rely on the Sanctuary´s specialist team over the coming months.
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What to Do if You Spot a Seal Pup
With pup season now underway, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary is reminding the public what to do if they come across a seal pup on the beach:
- Keep your distance - Stay well back and keep dogs on leads.
- Never approach, touch, or chase a pup - even if it looks alone.
- Observe quietly - Noise and disturbance can be very stressful for seals.
- Call for advice - If you´re concerned about a pup´s condition, contact the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) hotline on 01825 765546.
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Press Release issued by the Cornish Seal Sanctuary
For more details, please contact Jazz Chater, Marketing Coordinator, on 01326 221361
Issue Date: 12th September 2025
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