MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Cape Fur Seal breeding season is between mid-November and mid-January and when stormy seas are experienced, the young pups are washed off Seal Island.
They can't swim back to the island and end up on beaches from Diaz to Hartenbos. Contact either of these emergency numbers, should you spot a seal pup:
SMART (Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team) Mossel Bay - 076 780 8237
Dias Museum - 044 691 1067 (08:00 - 16:30)
- Do not try to put it back into the ocean.
- Do not hurt or injure the animal.
- Do not cover it.
- Keep dogs and people least five metres away from it.
- Call one of the emergency numbers and give information and location of the pup.
- If the pup is injured, try to take photos of the injuries and send them the SMART emergency number.
Volunteers of SMART will respond and fetch the pup/s from the beach. The animals will then be taken to a holding facility, where they will be monitored, weighed, measured and other scientific data will be recorded, after which they will be released back on the island as soon as possible.
They will also be tagged and numbered. The success rate of released pups surviving is extremely good.
Cape fur seals are protected by law and any offence against the animals may result in hefty fines. Also remember that they are wild animals and although still small, can do serious harm with their sharp teeth.
They might also have bacterial infections that could be harmful to humans and especially dogs.
ARTICLE: TERSIA MARAIS
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