Charity releases two seals back into the wild

The final pair of seals to be cared for by a Guernsey charity before a big renovation project have been released back into the sea.

The Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) said the rescued seals named Roar and California Girl were released back into the wild on Saturday.

The charity has looked after the pups since the end of last year when they were found very dehydrated and infected, with staff saying the seals were close to death.

A GSPCA spokesperson said the pair are likely to be the last seals to be cared for in its current facilities before its new Wildlife Hospital is built.

Geoff George, head of marine mammals, said the pups had done very well during their treatment in the GSPCA pools.

He said: "Both pups have roughly quadrupled their weight from when we rescued them and doing so well we hope to release them in the coming days."

Steve Byrne, the GSPCA manager, said the charity's total of rescued seals released back into the wild was 43 in the past 12 years.

"Geoff and the team have done such an incredible job caring for Roar and California Girl," Mr Byrne said.

"Both seal pups were so close to perishing when rescued."

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