
Adorable photographs have surfaced of a lovable Australian fur seal named Tarwin watching a computer screen intently as his arthritis is monitored by Melbourne Zoo's vet team.

Melbourne Zoo has taken care of the seal since she was found inland on a dairy farm near the small town of Tarwin, south Victoria, in 1998. She was six kilometres away from the nearest body of water.

Vets cleared Tarwin and released her at Seal Rocks, the breeding colony. But she was found a short time later stuck at a beach and underweight as a result of feeding issues.

She has been taken care of by the zoo ever since.

Adorable photographs have surfaced of an aging Australian fur seal named Tarwin watching a computer screen intently as his arthritis is monitored at Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo has taken care of the seal since she was found inland on a dairy farm near the small town of Tarwin, south Victoria, in 1998

As Tarwin grew older, she developed arthritis and epilepsy - conditions which are common with aging seals

An x-ray image shows the condition of the arthritis in Tarwin, who was an 'active and playful' seal in her youth

As Tarwin grew older, she developed arthritis and epilepsy - conditions which are common with aging seals.

Melbourne Zoo's vet team have strategies to maintain the quality of life for Tarwin, who was an 'active and playful' seal in her youth but now spends her time lounging around.

'She is very good natured and has a large repertoire of trained behaviours. She cooperates very willingly with us when she is due to provide blood samples, in exchange for fish and patting,' seal keeper Mark said in 2013.

'We need to test her blood a couple of times a year to monitor the dose rate of a medication she is given daily to manage her epilepsy. She was diagnosed with this in 2004 and is being treated successfully with a drug very similar to that used for human patients.

'She is not as food motivated as the other seals and tends to chew her fish instead of swallowing it whole, which is unusual for a seal. Her favourites are Pilchards and Tommy Ruff.'

Melbourne Zoo's vet team have strategies to maintain the quality of life for Tarwin. A veterinarian monitors the arthritis

A Melbourne Zoo veterinarian monitors the arthritis of an Australian Fur Seal named Tarwin

'She is very good natured and has a large repertoire of trained behaviours,' seal keeper Matt said in 2013