Eight seal pups rescued since 4 November

Video

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T.) has rescued eight stranded seal pups from Mossel Bay beaches since 4 November.

Seal pupping season takes place from late October to early January.

S.M.A.R.T. spokesperson Val Marsh said the organisation's volunteers have rescued five stranded pups in the last three days alone. The latest rescue was two pups this morning, 21 November, at Bayview Beach.

Marsh went to collect the pup and took it to Hartenbos Animal Hospital for Dr Frans De Graaff to examine.

Another call about a stranded pup, also at Bayview Beach, came later this morning. A volunteer for the organisation, Michael de Nobrega, was called to rescue the pup and also took it to Hartenbos Animal Hospital.

There are currently a few pups in a holding pen at the hospital. They are expected to be released back into the wild at Seal Island this afternoon.

This video was taken at the holding pen at the Hartenbos Animal Hospital on 21 November. Video: Hartenbos Animal hospital

Dr Greg Hofmeyr, the curator for marine mammals at Bayworld in Gqeberha, who is also a marine biologist, previously told Mossel Bay Advertiser that Cape fur seals breed seasonally and annually and that the "pupping season" is usually from late October to early January.

S.M.A.R.T. has urged those who come across stranded pups on Mossel Bay beaches, to not approach or touch them.

This is for a few reasons: even young seals can bite if they feel threatened and can cause severe injuries. There is also a possible risk of rabies as seals can carry this virus, which is fatal if not treated. It is also important not to cause stress to the stranded pup.

Instead, S.M.A.R.T. has urged the public to call the organisation immediately (072 227 4715) to alert trained rescuers and to drop a pin location of where the pup is.

S.M.A.R.T. volunteer Michael de Nobrega with one of the seal pups he recently rescued.