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HARTENBOS NEWS - The Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T.) has reported that a rabies test of a Cape fur seal found at the Hartenbos River mouth on 12 August, has come back positive.
S.M.A.R.T. spokesperson Val Marsh told Mossel Bay Advertiser the organisation was called out to the river mouth by a member of the public, who reported a Cape fur seal lying on the beach, looking ill.
She said that when S.M.A.R.T. volunteers arrived, the seal had looked ill, had blood on its neck and chest and had a bite wound on its head.
Hartenbos Animal Hospital veterinarian Dr Frans de Graaff said the seal was brought to him on 12 August, showing some "neurological tremors".
Graaff said the seal died before it could be euthanised.
Fresh bite marks
"Some fresh bite marks were found on the seal," he said. He said there were concerns the seal could have been bitten by dogs while at the river mouth.
"This seal was not showing the typical aggression that some others did. Contact with dogs could end up with the dogs being attacked and sustaining severe bite wounds. Non-vaccinated dogs might then get rabies," said Graaff.
Video: Michael de Nobrega took this video of the seal at Hartenbos River mouth
"Dog owners and people should stay away from any seal on the beach. This is a serious disease and even if your dogs are vaccinated they should be on a leash while out walking because they can still get severe bite wounds from these seals," he said.
On 17 July, a seal at The Poort swimming area at The Point, was euthanised after it displayed abnormal and aggressive behaviour.
Video
The seal was also seen on a video, captured by Coulson Art Photography, attempting to bite a man and a young boy. The seal was tested for rabies and a few days later, the results came back positive.
Previously, the Advertiser reported that Dr Greg Hofmeyr, who is the curator for marine mammals at Bayworld and a seal biologist said that while the majority of seals are probably fine, one could still not be sure if a seal was infected with rabies or not.
He had said any seal that is excessively aggressive, unafraid or actually friendly on land, or in a coma or having seizures, could have rabies and that people should avoid all seals, "alive or dead".
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture spokesperson Mary James previously told the Advertiser that domestic animals can become suddenly aggressive or appear confused, while wild animals lose their fear of people, approaching and sometimes attacking them.
Signs
She said other signs include excess salivation, struggling to swallow, twitching, weakness, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. Infected animals will die within two to 10 days of first showing signs of rabies.
Rabies is spread to humans and other animals through contact with the saliva of infected animals.
Humans can be exposed through bites, scratches or even licks to any wounds, grazes, broken skin, or to the lining of the mouth and nose by rabid animals.
Report any seals ashore or incidents immediately to S.M.A.R.T. (072 227 4715), Dr Hofmeyr (071 724 2122), the municipality (044 606 5000 24/7) or the Garden Route SPCA (044 693 0824).
Previous articles:
- Avoid seals, urges biologist
- 'More rabid seals expected'
- UPDATE: Seal at the Poort tests positive for rabies
- Seal euthanised after aggressive behaviour
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