Euthanised Little Brak seal tests positive for rabies

Update Video

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The adult seal that was humanely euthanised at Little Brak River Beach on Friday 9 January has tested positive for rabies.

This was confirmed by Val Marsh, committee member of the Stranded Animal Marine Rescue Team (Smart) in Mossel Bay.

Marsh told Mossel Bay Advertiser the rabies test, conducted by the state veterinarian for the Western Cape, had come back positive this morning, 16 January.

The seal was first spotted on the riverbank of the Little Brak River on the morning of 9 January. Smart volunteers closely monitored the animal, who was calm and showed no signs of abnormal behaviour at first.

However, just after 15:00, the situation changed.

The seal began exhibiting aggressive behaviour, even violently attacking a beach chair, which could be seen in some video footage.

After consulting with marine biologist Dr Greg Hofmeyr and Dr Gerhard Cilliers of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in Cape Town, the seal was humanely euthanised on the beach at 16:00.

The Garden Route SPCA Mossel Bay branch collected the carcass shortly after.

The SPCA removes the seal carcass. Photo: Michael de Nobrega

Marsh also told the Advertiser that according to some witnesses on the beach, the seal had bit an unknown man on his leg.

This person, and anyone else with any further information regarding the incident, is urged to contact Smart immediately on 072 227 4715 for advice and assistance, as well as his healthcare provider.

Watch the video of the seal below. Video: Janita Albertyn and Gerrie Jansen Van Rensburg.