India and Joey get the seal of approval

Tuesday 14 September 2021

Seals India and Joey have received the all-clear to return to the wild.

India was rescued from Guernsey in March and Joey was found in Jersey last November.

The seals arrived at the GSPCA thin and unwell, but thanks to the efforts of Geoff George and the rest of the team, the duo have reached the required size and health for their release.

"At 62kg [Joey] and 58kg [India] they were ready for the wild," said Mr George. “Joey has been one of the most aggressive pups we have had but he took his time before swimming off.”

“Each release is different and this is a first for Guernsey as we normally go to Jethou.”

Pictured: India the seal pup when she first arrived at the GSPCA in March.

“India and Joey the seal pups are ready to be released back where they belong,” said Steve Byrne, Manager of the GSPCA. 

“The weather was amazing and location fabulous and India was the first to swim off although keeping an eye on us for some time. Joey however wasn’t as brave and kept in the shallows for some time before venturing into deeper water.”

Mr Byrne added that Titan the Guernsey seal pup and Porkpie the Cornish seal pup have a little way to go until they are ready for release.