Puffin sent back into wild after remarkable recovery

A puffin who made an incredible 110 miles inland journey has been released back into the wild after rehabilitation from the RSPCA.

The puffin named Oona by rescuers - is one of only six to ever be treated by the team at the animal welfare charity’s West Hatch Wildlife Centre near Taunton.

She was found inland county of Herefordshire in June.

She was released back into the wild in Pembrokeshire.

RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Supervisor Ryan Walker, said:“She was found in a garden in Herefordshire, around 110 miles inland - a less than ideal place for a puffin to find food! Thankfully, the finder took the puffin to Vets for Pets in Hereford for triage. At only 218g (7.7 oz), half the weight of a healthy adult, she was very underweight but otherwise bright so they reached out to our resident expert wildlife vet David Couper for some help.

“Following his advice they managed to stabilise the puffin and later named her Oona, after a children’s book about an adventurous puffin. She became a bit of a local celebrity so we were all a little star struck when she was transferred south to RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre for rehab!

“We’ve only had six puffins in care here over the last decade, so the arrival of Oona has been news for staff here - and a first since 2021! Our expert team of oiled bird washers gave Oona a luxury spa day to wash away her woes, and any residual oil contaminating her waterproofing.

“Having spent some time recovering in one of our pools, and eaten plenty of fish, Oona was ready for release back into the wild.”

Oona is just one of thousands of wild animals who are admitted to the charity’s four wildlife centres each year.