Ten Icelandic rescue puffins move to their new home at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary are so excited to announce that ten rescue puffins have arrived safely with them after being relocated from their sister SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga Whale Sanctuary in Iceland.
All ten of the resident puffins are non-releasable rescued birds who were rehabilitated by the charity in Iceland before being carefully transported to their new home at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek.
The island of Vestmannaeyjar, where the Beluga Whale Sanctuary is located, is home to the largest Atlantic Puffin breeding colony in the world. The Sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates, and releases around 60 injured and oiled puffins every year. However, there are a few that cannot be released back into the wild due to the severity of their injuries and their inability to fend for or feed themselves.
These puffins have been relocated to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary to be cared for and to create space to allow their sister Sanctuary to continue its vital rehabilitation work in Iceland.
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary’s brand new ‘Puffin Island’ exhibit will be the only habitat in the UK to housed rescue puffins, who, until now have only been visable in the wild in limited conservation areas.
Atlantic puffins are also native to Cornwall where they are sadly classified as endangered and included on the red list as a species of concern in the UK. The Seal Sanctuary are hoping the presence of these characterful birds will allow them to educate their guests about the ‘plight of the puffin’, making them ambassadors for the species and giving visitors a rare opportunity to engage with these captivating seabirds up close.
Head of Sanctuaries for the SEA LIFE TRUST Jana Sirova comments;
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome ten new members to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary family! The arrival of these rescued puffins from our sister SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga Whale Sanctuary in Iceland marks an incredibly exciting milestone for us. These charming seabirds have captured our hearts, and we’re honoured to provide them with a safe and loving home here in Gweek.
Our new ‘Puffin Island’ exhibit will not only offer these incredible creatures a haven and care but also provide a unique opportunity for visitors to connect with them up close. It’s a privilege to be the only sanctuary in the UK to house rescued puffins, offering a firsthand glimpse into their world that was previously limited to conservation areas.
Moreover, this initiative underscores our commitment to conservation and education. By showcasing the plight of the puffin, we hope to raise awareness about the challenges facing these endangered birds and inspire action to protect them.
Our aim is for these puffins to become ambassadors for their species, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation among our guests.
We can’t wait for everyone to come and meet our newest residents, learn about their journey, and join us in our mission to safeguard the future of these captivating seabirds.”
