Seal rescued in North Wales now thriving with pup
An orphaned seal pup rescued and rehabilitated by the RSPCA has been photographed thriving with a pup of her own, more than five years after being released into the wild off the North Wales coast.
Kale, a grey seal pup brought into Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Cheshire back in 2020, was found orphaned and underweight when the BDMLR (British Divers Marine Life Rescue) took her in.
Staff at the centre cared for her for three months, tube-feeding and hand-feeding her until she could eat independently and preparing her for a return to her natural coastal habitat.
Once she was well enough, Kale was transferred to the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay, where she was able to exercise and learn key behaviours in the zoo’s deeper pools before being released into the sea nearby.
Kale’s story didn’t end there. She was spotted again in North Wales waters last year by a local seal volunteer group – and now stunning new photographs by wildlife photographer Adge Lane show she is thriving as a mother. The images, taken in one of North Wales’ most popular seal haul-out locations, show Kale with her own healthy pup, named Amethyst.
RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre Manager Lee Stewart described the sighting as “uplifting”, and a reminder of how vital specialist rehabilitation work is for marine wildlife.
“When Kale came to us she wasn’t in great condition, but thanks to our dedicated team and support from Welsh Mountain Zoo, she made a great recovery,” he said. “Seeing her not only survive but raise her own pup in the wild is something really special.”
All rehabilitated pups at Stapeley Grange are tagged to allow post-release monitoring, helping the charity understand the long-term success of its methods. Stewart said sightings like Kale’s are “wonderful evidence” that the work is effective.
Caring for seal pups requires specialist facilities, and Stapeley Grange is one of only around a dozen centres in the UK capable of supporting rescued pups through rehabilitation. Many centres take pups only short-term, while others – including Stapeley Grange, East Winch in Norfolk, Mallydams Wood in East Sussex and West Hatch in Somerset – hold pups right through to release.
The RSPCA says growing seal populations mean more underweight, sick or injured pups are needing help each year. But the charity is urging the public to avoid rushing to intervene if they see a young seal alone on a beach. Mothers routinely leave pups for extended periods, and pups are sometimes taken into care unnecessarily.
The RSPCA advises observing from a distance of at least 100 metres, keeping dogs away from beaches where seals may be resting, and monitoring a pup for up to 24 hours before assuming it has been abandoned.
Anyone concerned about a seal can find advice on the RSPCA website or contact the RSPCA or BDMLR directly.
To support the rehabilitation of seals like Kale – and other wildlife in need – donations can be made via RSPCA Stapeley Grange’s JustGiving page or Amazon wishlist. The charity has also launched its winter “Big Give Back to Animals” campaign to help meet rising demand for frontline rescues.
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