News

New Year – new start – for two seals released back into the wild

Published

5 years ago

January 6, 2021

Two grey seal pups have been returned to the wild for the New Year following months of RSPCA rehabilitation.

They were released at Port Eynon, Gower, Swansea, on 3 January as the sun rose – just days into 2021 – by RSPCA animal rescue officer Ellie West and RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben – who caught the beautiful event on camera. One seal had been originally rescued from Abereiddy in Pembrokeshire – the other from Trevone in Cornwall. They were both found in distress, underweight and with injuries.

Ellie said: “This was such a lovely release – to see them both enter the sea happily where they belong with the sun rising in the distance was just glorious. It was a lovely way to start the new year.”

The seals had been transferred to the Welsh coast from RSPCA Mallydams Wood Wildlife Centre in Hastings the previous day and had spent the night at the RSPCA Llys Nini Branch seal unit.

“These two pups – nicknamed BB8 and Luke Skywaker – have been in the fantastic care of RSPCA Mallydams Wood Wildlife Centre who have given them the best rehabilitation over the past few months. It’s always fantastic to hear when they have put on the appropriate weight and can be released back into the wild,” added Ellie.

Ellie had been involved in the initial care of the seal rescued from Abereiddy Beach back in October.

“He was a weaned pup that had pretty much moulted out all his baby white lanugo coat, so he was fully weaned, but he was found quite underweight, lethargic and had the snotty face of a sickly pup,” she said. “He also had a lump on the top of his neck.

“He was reported to myself and Keith and we asked Welsh Marine Life Rescue (WMLR) to attend who very kindly collected him and cared for him for a few days until we were able to transfer him to the wildlife centre.

“Once again we want to thank WMLR for all their assistance, expertise and all their hard work this past season. We could not do what we do without them.”

At RSPCA Mallydams Wood Wildlife Centre the seal had the lump removed under anaesthetic by the vet team.

The second seal from Cornwall came into RSPCA care in November and weighed just 16.3kg. The seal had suffered a few small wounds and was a bit wheezy, with centre staff treating him for lungworm and administering antibiotics. When he left the centre the seal – who was named Luke Skywalker – weighed a healthy 40kg.

Before release, the seals were given identification tags in their hind flippers for ID purposes. The RSPCA often receives good feedback from sightings – and the scientific results received reveal that seals that go on from rehabilitation survive in the wild.

The RSPCA advises that if members of the public spot a seal on a beach that they think might need help, the best thing is to observe them from a distance and do not approach them.

Seals are wild animals and have a nasty bite. Never try to return a seal to water yourself, as you may put yourselves and the seal at risk by doing this. It is also advised they keep dogs away from any seal and keep them on leads on beaches that have seal colonies too.

It’s not unusual for a seal pup to be alone, as seal mums leave their pups very early on in life. So if the seal pup looks fit and healthy and shows no signs of distress, it should firstly be monitored from a safe distance for 24 hours.

If you see a pup whose mother hasn’t returned within 24 hours, is on a busy public beach, or if you think the seal may be sick or injured, please stay at a safe distance and call the RSPCA’s advice and cruelty line on 0300 1234 999. An unhealthy seal pup looks thin (but not bony) with a visible neck, like a dog.

There is more information on the RSPCA website about what to do if you see a seal or pup on the beach alone.

If you have an animal welfare concern or find an animal in distress please call 0300 1234 999.

This winter, the RSPCA expects to rescue thousands of animals from neglect, cruelty and suffering. Already this Christmas we received more than 44,000 calls to our cruelty line but the calls to our rescue line are not stopping so neither will we. To help our rescue teams continue to reach the animals who desperately need us this winter, visit www.rspca.org.uk/xmas and Join the Winter Rescue #JoinTheRescue

Local Government

Clean-up after yacht wrecked on rocks at Lower Town, Fishguard

Published

16 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A YACHT that ran aground on rocks at Lower Town in Fishguard is being cleared by Pembrokeshire County Council after debris washed onto the shoreline.

Council officers attended the scene to assess the situation and begin removing wreckage after the vessel was found stranded among the rocks.

Heavy machinery was brought in to help clear debris from the beach, with workers seen dismantling parts of the damaged yacht and removing material that had scattered along the shoreline.

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed it is aware of the incident and has issued a Notice to Mariners, warning of the potential presence of floating debris in the surrounding waters.

The notice advises vessels navigating in the area to exercise caution while clearance work continues.

No further details about how the yacht came to run aground have been released.

Cover pic:

Council workers clear debris from a yacht that ran aground at Lower Town, Fishguard.

Community

Sea Cadets receive grant, donation and celebrate World Book Day

Published

16 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SEA CADETS have had a busy and successful week, with new equipment arriving at the unit, a donation from a local organisation, and junior members taking part in World Book Day activities.

The Milford Haven unit recently received delivery of new Standard Horizon VHF radios, which will be used during the upcoming boating season. The equipment was purchased after the group successfully secured funding through the RCD Foundation Grant.

The radios will help cadets develop important communication and safety skills while taking part in maritime training on the water.

The unit also received a £100 donation from Neyland Lodge, with cadets presented with a cheque during the week. Staff at the unit said the contribution would help support activities and training opportunities for young people involved in the organisation.

Leaders at the unit thanked the lodge for its support, describing the donation as a welcome boost for the cadet group.

Meanwhile, junior Sea Cadets marked World Book Day by taking part in a special visit to their local library. Along with members of the Junior Training Organisation (JTO), the young cadets dressed up and learned about the role of a librarian.

During the visit, they explored the library and each chose a favourite book, helping to encourage reading and learning outside the classroom.

Milford Haven Sea Cadets said the week highlighted the wide range of experiences available to cadets, from maritime training and community support to educational activities.

The unit is part of the wider Sea Cadet network operating across West Wales and continues to provide opportunities for young people in the Milford Haven area to develop skills, confidence and teamwork.

Local Government

Petition calling for clean rivers policy wins unanimous support at County Hall

Published

16 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PETITION calling for Pembrokeshire County Council to adopt a stronger Clean Rivers Policy has received unanimous support from councillors at County Hall.

The petition, backed by environmental campaigners and community groups, was presented during a meeting of the council on Thursday (Mar 6). Supporters in the public gallery applauded after councillors expressed their backing for the proposals.

The presentation was delivered by James Harrison-Allen, representing The Cleddau Project, a volunteer-led initiative focused on protecting and restoring the River Cleddau and its surrounding environment.

Campaigners said the atmosphere inside the council chamber was “extraordinary”, with councillors from across the political spectrum voicing support for improving river protection measures in Pembrokeshire.

The petition calls for the council to adopt a clearer policy aimed at improving water quality and tackling pollution affecting local rivers.

Supporters say pollution from multiple sources, including agricultural run-off and sewage discharges, has placed increasing pressure on rivers across Wales, including the Eastern and Western Cleddau.

Following the presentation, councillors backed the petition unanimously, prompting applause from members of the public and campaign supporters in attendance.

The campaign has drawn support from a number of environmental organisations including West Wales Rivers Trust, River Action UK, and the Campaign for National Parks.

Representatives from several organisations and public bodies were also acknowledged by campaigners, including Natural Resources Wales, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, as well as local political representatives Henry Tufnell MP, Samuel Kurtz MS, and Paul Davies MS.

Campaigners say the decision marks an important step in raising awareness of river pollution issues affecting the Cleddau catchment and wider waterways across Pembrokeshire.

The Cleddau Project said the outcome was “a great day for the Cleddau” and praised the work of volunteers and supporters who have helped drive the campaign forward.