Update

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Samples from a Cape fur seal yearling captured from the Mossel Bay harbour on 12 May have been sent to the state vet to test for rabies and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

A seal captured from The Point on 9 April recently tested positive for both. This was, according to the Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (Smart), the first time in Mossel Bay and the country that a seal had tested positive for HPAI.

Smart said the organisation had gone out to the harbour after the harbour security had alerted them to the yearling. They found it to be undernourished, and after careful assessment, it was decided to capture it and transport it to the Hartenbos Animal Hospital for better care.

The following day, however, the seal died unexpectedly, and the samples were sent off.
They are reportedly still being processed.

Report any seals ashore or any incidents to Smart on 072 227 4715.

Previous articles:

• First for SA: Point seal tests positive for avian flu
• 5 positive rabies cases in WC, 3 in Mossel Bay
• Seal captured at The Point sent for rabies testing 

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