The Hout Bay Seal Rescue Centre (HBSRC) has condemned the recent attack on a juvenile Cape fur seal at Muizenberg Beach.
The non-profit organisation released a statement denouncing attacks on seals after yet another one of the mammals was attacked and killed allegedly by onlookers who mistakenly believed it had rabies.
Confirmed cases
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals. It is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, typically through bites, and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Since May, a reported total of 24 confirmed cases of rabies have been recorded in Cape fur seals.
Recounting the incident, HBSRC spokesperson Kim Krynauw said officials were activated to rescue a young seal that had come up onto the beach in Muizenberg.
“At about 09.30, we received a call for assistance. One of our rescuers was immediately dispatched to attend to the scene,” Krynauw said.
“However, on arrival, she discovered that the seal was already dead.
“Upon closer inspection, our team realised that the seal had been speared (stabbed) and had also sustained what looked like a head injury. This type of thing is happening more and more. We receive reports of seals being shot at, gaffed, and stabbed daily.
“Just a few weeks ago, another young seal was beaten to death under the guise of disposing of an animal that had rabies. Not all seals have rabies, in fact only a small percentage do, so it is senseless to kill any seal you come across, just because you suspect it to have rabies,” Krynauw said.
“We need members of the public to refrain from engaging our wildlife, if you think it might be infected or in danger rather call the authorities and allow them to handle the matter. Our seals are protected animals. It is illegal and wrong to feed or harm them,” she added.
Body handed over to the SPCA
Following the incident, the body of the seal was handed over to the SPCA and Law Enforcement.
According to the SPCA, relevant authorities are investigating the matter in collaboration, with the City of Cape Town and the Department of Forestry Fisheries and Environment.
As a reminder, any person found causing disturbance to a seal may face prosecution in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), Marine Threatened or Protected Species regulations, and the Animal Anti-Cruelty Act. Offenders could also be fined by the City of Cape Town’s Coastal By-Law for disturbing marine wildlife along our coastline.
“Seals are a protected species and no member of the public may take the law into their own hands,” Mayco member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews, confirmed.
Have you ever witnessed any harm done to a seal?
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