The harassment of Cape fur seals by the public appears to be an alarming trend, says Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
In a statement, department spokesman Peter Mbelengwa said incidents of brutality toward seals appeared to be on the rise since rabies had been detected in the Cape fur seal population.
“These incidents include allowing dogs to approach or attack resting seals; throwing stones at seals; enticing seals to chase people for social media footage; teasing seals for photo opportunities; hitting seals; feeding seals for financial gain to allow for photo opportunities with seals.
“Cape fur seals are abundant and play a fundamental role in the marine system. The vast majority are living healthy lives. If a seal is ashore in a public place, away from the colony or other seals and appears in any way weak, unwell or aggressive, it should be treated with caution, as there is a small but significant chance that the seal could be infected by the rabies virus,“ said Mr Mbelengwa.
Earlier this year, the Hout Bay Seal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre said it had seen alarming increase in injured Cape Fur seals (“Spike in number of injured seals, says support group,” Sentinel, July 5).
The centre’s operations director, Kim Krynauw, tells the Sentinel that dogs without leashes are endangering seals’ lives.
“We often hear of people harassing these animals when they’re resting on the beaches, and the public are not keeping their dogs on leads or keeping their distance.
“We need to keep reiterating to the public that they should keep a safe distance of least 30 metres away of stationary seals that appear sick. Instead of photographing these sick and vulnerable seals, the public should report them to us.”
Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement founder Lisa Starr said more should be done to protect seals.
“Dogs without leashes on the beaches are still a massive problem and one of the biggest contributors to seal attacks.”
Asked how many recent seal harassment incidents there had been in Hout Bay, Mr Mbelengwa said: “Seals are harassed daily at Hout Bay Harbour. Seal feeders encourage tourists to take photographs with seals and pet them.
“In terms of seal petting, we’ve made seven arrests over the past year, and where minors were caught feeding seals they were warned and educated.“
Mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment Eddie Andrews said the City “is aware that seals that haul out on our beaches are vulnerable to disturbance and harassment by members of the public. DFFE has also installed signage in this regard warning visitors to the harbour that it is an offence to feed or to pay somebody to feed seals.“
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