The Vancouver Aquarium released eight seal pups back into the wild Thursday morning, just in time for Christmas.
The eight seal pups, who were released at Porteau Cove, were among 202 other animals that were nursed back to health through the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre program this year.
It’s been the busiest year the program has ever seen.
The pups were rescued when they were five days old or younger, and they’re finally healthy enough to be released.
“Most of the seals, when they come in, they’re emaciated, dehydrated and they’ve been separated from their moms for a variety of different reasons. So they’re really in need of care at that point,” said rescue centre manager Lindsaye Akhurst.
“They’ll go out, probably explore around for the first little while and then disperse off in different directions.”
Casey Chiu, one of the volunteers released Gremlin, one of the seals, on Thursday morning
He had a message for him as he went on his way.
“Go out, go explore, have fun. Hopefully he’s going to do well in the wild,” Chiu said.
“I’m really excited that they get to go home for Christmas.”
PHOTOS: Seal pups being released on Thursday morning.