Sanctuary confirms date for seal's eye surgery

An animal sanctuary has been "overwhelmed" by the response to a fundraising campaign for surgery to allow a seal the chance to see.

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek, Cornwall, launched a fundraiser for its resident seal Jarvis for surgery costing a total of £15,600 if both eyes can be treated.

The charity said Jarvis was rescued in 2016 with cataracts in both eyes and thanks to the support of people they were "really close" to its fundraising target of £15,600.

The first operation has been booked for 15 October and if successful the sanctuary hopes to carry out the operation on his other eye in spring 2027 to allow for complete recovery.

"We're really hopeful there's a good chance it will work," said animal care specialist Beth Goodridge.

"We've had a lot of discussions and wouldn't put him through it if we didn't think it would work."

The operation is due to take about two hours and will take place in the sanctuary's underwater viewing area, which will be cordoned off to the public to "limit disruption and stress".

The team said the initial recovery should be about one week and during this time he would be kept dry in one of the sanctuary's nursery pools, have daily eye drops and be monitored closely for signs of stress.

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