Puffin Rescued 110 Miles Inland Returns to the Wild After RSPCA Rehabilitation

A puffin named Oona has made a remarkable comeback after being found over 100 miles from the coast, in a Herefordshire garden. Severely underweight and far from her natural habitat, Oona’s journey from rescue to release highlights the dedication of wildlife carers.

Discovered in June, Oona weighed just 218 grams—about half the weight of a healthy adult puffin. She was first taken to a local veterinary clinic, Vets for Pets in Hereford, before being transferred to the RSPCA’s West Hatch Wildlife Centre near Taunton for specialized care.

Ryan Walker, wildlife supervisor at West Hatch, explained, “Finding a puffin 110 miles inland is highly unusual. Oona was very underweight, but thankfully bright and alert when brought in.” Under the guidance of wildlife vet David Couper, staff nurtured her back to health. She even became a bit of a local celebrity during her stay.

The centre, which has only cared for six puffins over the past decade, treated Oona with specialist washes to remove oil from her feathers and helped her regain strength in a rehabilitation pool where she enjoyed fresh fish. Once strong enough, Oona was returned to the sea off Pembrokeshire’s coast, a vital area that includes Skomer Island, home to the largest puffin population in southern Britain.

Puffins spend most of their lives at sea, returning to coastal burrows only to breed. After raising their young, they head back to the ocean for the winter. Oona’s rescue is one of many: last year, over 10,000 wild animals were cared for by the RSPCA’s wildlife centres—a 35% increase compared to the previous year. Many animals are found injured or orphaned in gardens, often due to everyday hazards like netting or garden tools.

The RSPCA urges anyone who finds sick or injured wild animals to take them directly to a vet whenever possible. Prompt action can make all the difference in helping wildlife survive and thrive.