Shuts off animals (5)
I believe the answer is:
seals
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'shuts' is the first definition.
(sealing is a kind of shutting)
'animals' is the second definition.
The answer is an example.
'off' is the link.
(Other definitions for seals that I've seen before include "Great swimmers" , "Fastens or closes securely" , "Marine mammals" , "Animals spotted on coast" , "They make an impression" .)