Jinx begins her training for a summer body


It isn´t just humans that are getting their bodies in shape ahead of the summer season. Two year old seal pup Jinx had her first ever training session with animal care assistant. Natalie, in an effort to shed some pounds.

Jinx was rescued on the 21st April 2017 from Godrevy, Cornwall. She was dehydrated, malnourished and was displaying signs of anaemia. When she first arrived at the Sanctuary she was suffering periods of not being able to digest her food properly and stomach problems.
Jinx
Jinx After an investigation by vet Paul Riley, it was found she had a condition similar to irritable bowel syndrome in humans.

The vet found that steroids calmed her condition, and therefore the decision was made to provide Jinx a permanent home at the Sanctuary, as without treatment her condition would deteriorate and she would not be able to survive in the wild.
Jinx has been in the Convalescence Pool with the Sanctuaries rehabilitating pups and fellow resident adult grey seals. As Jinx could not start her training with pups around, she has been swimming after every fish and eating more than her fair share.

In combination with her health condition, this has resulted in her weighing 85kgs; a healthy 2 year old pup should weigh around 65kgs.
Jinx
Jinx Natalie, Head of Enrichment, has a plan in place to help Jinx with her husbandry training and physical enrichment, to help manage her weight as like with humans, there are risks to her general health with carrying extra weight.

Jinx had her first training session this week, and according to Natalie it went very successfully. Natalie said "Jinx has done incredibly well for her first training session - she is responding well to it and I know with time she is going to really engage with it!"
Training is not only great fun for the animals, it is also helps the team to be able to look after them. Training allows the Sanctuary to weigh animals, check their teeth and even trim their claws.

All of the training that takes place at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary is tailored to each individual animal´s needs.
Jinx
Jinx At the Sanctuary there is a wide range of ages, abilities and species so Natalie has a specific training and enrichment plan for every animal.

The team are confident that Jinx will have trimmed up in time for summer, with a little help from her carers!


Press Release issued by the Cornish Seal Sanctuary
For more details, please contact Georgina Shannon on 01326 221361
Issue Date: 25th May 2018


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