Seal pups found washed up in poorly condition released from Penrhyn Bay back into North Wales waters

The Grey seal pups - called Dandelion, Poppy, Wolfsbane and Nettle - were released back into the waters following a long period of rehabilitation at the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay. 

The cute seal pups were found along the North Wales coast, washed up and disorientated, in poor health having become separated from their mums in stormy weather at the end of last year. 

They were nursed back to health and the animals arrived on Penrhyn Bay beach with their keepers on Thursday, May 2.

Agnes Sheridan with mum Lucy with one of the seals. Picture: Kerry Roberts

As soon as the doors to their cages were opened, the seal pups made their way to the sea and after a bit of a play in the waves, swam off into the distance. 

Peter Litherland, animal collection manager at the Welsh Mountain Zoo, said: “It’s with a combination of pride and sadness that we say goodbye to our pups.

"It’s wonderful to see them ready to return to their natural environment but as a team, we have, of course, grown to become very fond of then.

“The process is a lengthy one and centres on nourishing and encouraging them to rebuild and regain their strength and ensure the they are able to cope with the harsh elements. They are all now fighting fit and ready to leave us and began their next journey.” 

All aged under one month old, the seals where considerably underweight when they were found and were in need of urgent care and attention.
Upon arriving at the zoo, keepers began the lengthy process of rehabilitation. 

One of seals desperately wanting to get to the water. Picture: Kerry Roberts

The pups were only 12kg when they arrived at the zoo. They left the attraction at a healthy 41kg- 45kg.

Fed a diet of predominantly fish soup, the pups moved on to fresh fish and before their release, were eating up to 7kgs of fish a day.

Marcia Azevedo Moreira, marketing and sales manager at the zoo, said: "‘The seal release went really well, after undergoing a long rehabilitation process, all four seals have now successfully and happily been returned to the sea.

"It was, as it always, a bittersweet moment to see them go as they quickly dash out into the sea without looking back.

"They first arrived with us as very small pups and to see their progress over the last few months to the point of release, is not only inspiring, but it makes us really proud of the work we carry out at the zoo day in and day out with these animals."