The Cornish Seal Sanctuary has been rescuing and rehabilitating pups for more than 60 years. Between September 2022 and March 2023, 50 grey seal pups were treated by the animal care team, with 86% of them being released back into the sea. The sanctuary also provides a permanent home to those needing special care
Main image: Pinnipeds often face difficulties with their eyes. If they are totally blind, the sanctuary provides a permanent home. All photographs: Alexander Turner
Tue 4 Jul 2023 02.00 EDT
Cornwall Seal Sanctuary on the Helford estuary at Gweek, near Helston, treats sick pinnipeds (fin-footed mammals, including seals and sea lions). A new patient is being transported to a vet for possible removal of an infected eye Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
A seal arrives at the sanctuary. New arrivals may initially be held in an isolation tank in case they have a contagious disease or need some solitary rest Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
In cases of total blindness, the animals are unable to be released back into the wild and take up residence at the sanctuary Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
At feeding time, in most cases, fish are thrown over a wall by a team hidden from view. This is to ensure the seals don’t associate humans with food when they are released back into the wild Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
After a morning spent looking after rescued seal pups, the team tends to the sanctuary’s long-term residents Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Some of the permanent residents can be visited by the public, with admission fees helping to fund the care, rescue and rehabilitation of the animals Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
A permanent resident is fed by a member of the team. Many of the residents are animals that were unable to be returned to the wild due to the nature of their injury or illness Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
A pool is drained and cleaned so two animals due to be released after successful recovery and rehabilitation can be caught Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
