S'mores The Seal Pup Is First Rescue Of 2025/26 Season
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary has rescued its first grey seal pup of the season – a young female named S’mores, in line with this year’s naming theme of cakes and desserts.
S’mores, thought to be four to five weeks old, was rescued from Crackington Haven, near Bude, by volunteers from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR). She was found severely malnourished with several puncture wounds.
After being stabilised by medics, she was transferred into the Sanctuary’s care. She spent several days in isolation before being moved to the hospital pens, where she is said to be recovering well.
Sadly, before S’mores’ rescue another very young pup, named Banoffee, was brought in at the end of August but developed suspected septicaemia and did not survive.
“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 are able to see S’mores at the Sanctuary, but staff have asked people to keep quiet around her enclosure to avoid causing stress.
“We’re so pleased with how S’mores 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 Ms Gunnell.
“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.”
The Sanctuary says it costs 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 Co-ordinator at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary. “With rising costs of food, medicines and supplies, pup season is becoming increasingly challenging.”
As a charity, the Sanctuary relies on public support to continue its work. This includes visiting, sponsoring a seal pup, leaving a donation in a will, fundraising, or helping to raise awareness about responsible behaviour around wild seals.
“Our supporters mean the world to us, without them, we simply couldn’t give pups like S’mores the second chance they deserve,” Ms Chater added.
Each pupping season, typically from September to March, the Sanctuary treats dozens of vulnerable grey seal pups that need medical attention before they can be released back into the wild. S’mores is expected to be the first of many requiring care in the months ahead.