Grey seal pups rescued, rehabilitated and returned to the wild

In early spring 2025, five grey seal pups – Bert, Ernie, Yolanda, Fozzie, and Floyd Pepper, named after several of The Muppets characters – came to us as orphans; underweight and in poor health. After months of rehabilitation (and Kermitted care) at our Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre, these now healthy grey seal pups have made their way back home.

Published:

29/10/25
Seal pup being released

Orphaned, underweight and injured

The five grey seal pups were brought into our wildlife centre between March and April 2025, after the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) found them orphaned and severely underweight, some with respiratory problems and others injured. But from the moment they arrived in our care, they were on the road to rehabilitation and release back into the wild.

Raising and rehabilitating seals is no easy task – it takes time, effort, and significant resources but every moment and every pound spent is worth it.

Lee Stewart, RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre manager

Rescued, rehabilitated and released

As is tradition, Stapeley Grange named each pup after a chosen theme – this time, the Muppets. And just like that, Yolanda (the only female), Bert, Fozzie, Ernie and Floyd Pepper (the males) went from being orphaned and in need, to a colony of plucky pups. 

“Our wonderful, dedicated team here at RSPCA Stapeley Grange tube-fed them by hand in the early days, and worked hard to get them fit to return them to the sea, where they belong,” said Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre manager, Lee Stewart.

By early June, after months of care and treatment, the grey seal pups had improved in health and gained enough weight, meaning they were ready to return to their home on the east coast.

Seal pup on shore

Stapeley Grange is one of the few rescue centres able to provide specialist seal care.

Things are looking pup

The Muppet show doesn’t end there. 

The grey seals and seal pups rehabilitated at our centres are tagged before they’re released into the wild. This allows us to monitor them as they settle back into a life at sea, checking in on their welfare and whereabouts, and to make sure our methods of care were successful. 

The Stapeley Grange staff regularly enjoy hearing about sightings of the Muppets in the wild, since their release on the Lincolnshire coastline. 

All of this is because of the specialist work that happens at our wildlife centres – work that wouldn’t be possible without donations and support from people like you. Animal lovers and generous advocates of all kinds, for every kind. 

On behalf of Bert, Ernie, Fozzie, Yolanda and Floyd Pepper – and all of us at the RSPCA – thank you. You’re flipping fantastic!