Se帽or Cinco, the California sea lion found seriously injured on Spanish Banks in May 2017, on Wednesday moved into a new long-term home at 麻豆传媒映画Aquarium. Photo courtesy 麻豆传媒映画Aquarium
Se帽or Cinco, the sea lion found near death on a 麻豆传媒映画beach last year, has found a new home at 麻豆传媒映画Aquarium.
The adult male California sea lion was found on May 5, 2017 in critical condition. He had been shot twice in the face with a small-caliber gun. Blinded and with broken teeth, Se帽or Cinco was unable to forage for food and by the time he was聽聽he was emaciated and too weak to move.
鈥淲e could tell immediately that his condition was critical,鈥� Lindsaye Akhurst, manager of 麻豆传媒映画Aquarium鈥檚 Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, said in a press release. 鈥淎n adult sea lion should not be easy to approach, but he was lethargic and not responsive to activity arounf him onb the busy public beach.鈥�
Veterinarians were able to remove the broken teeth and the sea lion was soon able to start eating again. Estimated at about 10 years old, Se帽or Cinco gained more than 140 kilograms over the 13 months of his recovery. He also won over the hearts of those caring for him.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 play favourites; we care about all of the animals that come through here,鈥� Akhurst said. 鈥淏ut Cinco really is a special animal; he鈥檚 a bit of a gentle giant. He can鈥檛 see us but he responds to the sound of our voices and take his fish like such a gentleman.鈥�
Because he is blind and unable to care for himself, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has deemed Se帽or Cinco non-releasable. On Wednesday, the marine mammal rescue team transported him to 麻豆传媒映画Aquarium where he moved into his new digs in the Sugar habitat.
鈥淗e is settling in just fine,鈥� said marine mammals curator Brian Sheehan. 鈥淗is first day was spent starting to feel his way around his new habitat, but in the weeks and months to come, Cinco will begin his training, learning behaviours that will help us take care of him, and provide exercise and enrichment.
鈥淚n Cinco鈥檚 case, because he鈥檚 blind, we鈥檒l be relying on hearing and touch rather than sight.鈥�
Se帽or Cinco is the first California sea lion to take up residence at the aquarium. The males of the species is distinguishable from its cousin, the Stellar sea lion, by its blonde 鈥渂uzz cut,鈥� the sagittal crest on its head.
@JessicaEKerr
