Jersey seal pups released back into the wild after rescue

Two seal pups rescued in Jersey have been released back into the wild following specialist care at a UK animal hospital.

The seals, named Sal and Bean, were rescued by British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) Jersey in November 2025 and later transferred to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital for rehabilitation.

Both pups were found on opposite sides of the island, underweight and dehydrated. Female Sal was discovered on the slip at St Catherine’s Breakwater, while male Bean was found at L’Etacq beside the road during high tide. Each weighed between 15kg and 16kg (33–35lb), a size rescuers said would not have allowed them to survive in the wild.

As Jersey does not have facilities for long-term specialist seal care, the pups were flown by private plane to the Essex-based hospital. There, teams spent two months nursing them back to health, helping them regain weight and teaching them how to hunt and feed independently.

Once fully recovered, the seals were released on 8 January at a “secret location” by hospital staff.

Sue Schwar, founder of South Essex Wildlife Hospital, said the aim of rehabilitation was always to return animals to the wild as quickly as it was safe to do so.

“As soon as they’re up to weight and there are no health or feeding concerns, we transport them to a release site, open the door and let them go,” she said.

The pups were seen “flopping” into the water before quickly heading off, she added, saying she hoped they would now continue life in the wild without needing further human help.