Renier Duvenage, member of Marine Stranding and Rescue
After the recent discovery of rabies in approximately 11 Cape fur seals, we would like to inform the public about how to respect these mammals.
The Cape fur seal is a well-known visitor to the various beaches of South Africa.
They are frequently seen relaxing on the beaches or rocks and are easily mistaken for dead animals.
Seals love sunbathing and sleeping in the sun.
They also enjoy playing in the waves, diving around rocks, or hanging around in the water – known as the “jugging” position.
In October, one frequently sees yearlings or pregnant females taking a breather on the sand or rocks.
It is very concerning when one comes across injured, maimed, or dead seals, and one immediately asks the question: “Why has the seal died?” It is a very difficult question to answer, as without definitive proof or a necropsy, one cannot give a definite answer.
What we do know, though, is that the major danger to seals, apart from their natural predators, is humans. Not only due to the increase in plastic pollution but also because of overfishing.
Sadly, many fishermen regard seals as threats as the seals “eat all the fish” and then they club or shoot the animals.
Blaming the seals for “eating all the fish” is simply not true, as the seal numbers would have increased dramatically if it were the case, and there would not be emaciated seals found on beaches.
On land, seals normally stay close together, as they live in colonies, and it is one of their forms of protection.
Apart from the fact that they are able to bite, they do not really have any defences.
They are no match against the large predators that hunt them, and then we do not even start to mention the humans that harm them.
Seals are incredible animals as they are intelligent, inquisitive, and very social.
We know that they are intelligent, as we have seen so many seals at various aquariums performing various tricks, but when you watch them in their natural habitat, it becomes very clear that they know what they are doing.
They are also very inquisitive, curious mammals, and it has been noted that they will follow canoes, boats, or swimmers, as they want to see what is going on.
The Cape fur seal is the most common seal seen in the waters of the Western Cape, and they are often referred to as the “dogs of the ocean” because of their playful and curious nature.
On land, they may come across as very awkward and clumsy, but in the water, they are elegant, fast, and graceful.
Some other seal species (Antarctic fur seal, elephant seal, leopard seal, and sub-Antarctic fur seals) do visit our waters, but they are regarded as vagrants.
What should you do when you see a seal on the beach:
1. Please do not go near it, chase it, wet it, or try to touch it. Even though they may seem very docile, they can give you a very nasty bite. Ensure your dog is on a leash.
2. Determine, from a safe distance, whether the seal has any bite marks, cuts, is emaciated, has rope entangling the animal, wounds, or blood dripping/oozing. If so, please, contact the Hout Bay Seal Rescue Centre.
4. If there are no wounds, then the animal may be resting, and it is best to leave it to do just that.
5. Please do not try to feed the seal, give it water, or cover it with a blanket.
6. The quieter it is, the sooner the seal will rest up and return to the water by itself.
7. Please be aware that seal pups can only swim once they reach 4 to 5 months. So it’s important never to disturb a colony, especially in pupping season (October to December).
We also ask that the feeding of seals at the harbours isn’t supported as it is illegal.
• The City confirmed that it is aware of 14 confirmed cases of rabies in Cape fur seals.
