This unprecedented achievement is a testament to the exceptional care provided by the team at the Sanctuary and the unique resilience of this beloved marine mammal.
A Record-Breaking Achievement
Sheba has lived at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary for the majority of her life, since founder Ken Jones rescued her as an injured pup back in 1974.
Most seals live to be around 25 to 30 years old in the wild, making Sheba’s longevity truly extraordinary. Typically, female grey seals in human care can live close to 40 years; male seals live about 30 years.
“Reaching 50 is a huge milestone, not just for Sheba but for everyone here who has been part of her journey,” said Tamara Cooper, Curator at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.
“It’s certainly a testament to the advancements in veterinary care and the specialised attention we provide for our animals here at the Sanctuary.”
A Life Full of Love and Care
It is documented that initially Sheba was cared for by Ken and his wife at their home in St Agnes, before finding her new home at the purpose-built Sanctuary in Gweek.
Over the years, this gentle seal has become a favourite among visitors and staff alike, with her playful personality and love for enrichment activities.
“The bond we’ve developed with Sheba over her lifetime is something truly special,” Tamara continues. “We’ve seen her grow and adapt, and we’ve worked hard to provide the best quality of life for her. Sheba requires constant monitoring and regular medication for an eye condition, which has left her partially sighted, and even though she is an old girl, she is still very active, learning new skills and interacting with our Animal Care team.
This milestone is such a proud moment for all of us.”
A seally great Celebration
To celebrate Sheba’s 50th birthday, the Sanctuary invited their supporters to join them for a lovely afternoon of fishy frivolity on Saturday 21st October.
Her party was well attended with guests and staff joining in on the celebrations. Sheba was presented with a three tiered cake made from ice and her favourite fish. She was then serenaded by a live brass band and the crowd sang 'Happy Birthday' to her.
Want to buy Sheba a Birthday gift?
Sheba’s pool at the Sanctuary needs improvement, and although the pool meets the standards required, she’d really like to have better filtration and more room to do her aqua aerobics!
For the past 3 years we have been fundraising for our pool’s re-development through our ‘Fund our Future’ campaign. We are hoping to start these works soon, allowing Sheba to live out her final years in luxury.
We still have a long way to go to meet our final target, so if you can help support this project, she’d be eternally grateful.
Fund Our Future (sealifetrust.org)
Book tickets at least 2 days in advance to save 20% by emailing- seals@sealifetrust.com
