Guinea Pigs Seen Roaming Along Jersey’s North Coast

A group of guinea pigs has been discovered roaming along the north coast of Jersey, with animal welfare officers unsure how the pets ended up in the wild.

The Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) said it received a call on Tuesday morning after a walker reported seeing six of the animals among brambles and gorse near the cliff path at Devil’s Hole.

Katie Kay, the charity’s head of service delivery, said staff responded quickly to the report, describing the situation as “highly unusual”. By midday, three of the six guinea pigs had been safely captured.

“We definitely don’t normally get calls about six guinea pigs out in the wild,” she said. “At the moment we have no idea why they are here and we can’t speculate.”

Rescuers arrived at about 09:00 GMT and were initially able to see the animals moving through the thick vegetation, but could not get close enough to catch them. After calling for additional help, volunteers spent several hours monitoring the area and waiting for an opportunity to safely retrieve them.

Kay said the guinea pigs faced several dangers if left outside, including potential attacks from dogs, cats and birds of prey along the coastline. They were also close to a nearby sheep field, adding to concerns about their safety.

“There’s a huge risk to their lives because of the wildlife that is out here,” she said.

The guinea pigs that have been recovered are being taken to the JSPCA shelter, where they will be checked by vets before any longer-term arrangements are made for their care. Animal welfare officers are continuing to search the area for the remaining three animals.