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MOSSEL BAY NEWS & VIDEO - A potentially rabid seal was humanely euthanised at Little Brak River Beach after exhibiting aggressive behaviour - the Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (Smart) had been closely monitoring the seal since yesterday morning, Friday, 9 January.
According to Smart, it received a call yesterday morning about an adult seal on the river bank at Little Brak River. A Smart volunteer responded and monitored the seal for two hours.
“Videos and photos were sent to Dr Greg Hofmeyr who agreed that the seal looked healthy and had no obvious injuries. It was also not exhibiting abnormal behaviour or symptoms of any illness,” Smart said.
Smart continued monitoring the seal during the day and reported that the animal was only showing some annoyance to dogs and marine birds, but nothing out of the ordinary. It also went back into the shallow river water for a short dip.
However, at 15:13 the situation changed without warning.
“The seal suddenly charged towards the monitors, possibly triggered by the movement of a dog passing some distance from the seal. They immediately moved away and the animal proceeded to violently attack a beach chair.”
VIDEO: Little Brak River seal exhibits aggressive behaviour
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Smart said another video was immediately sent to Dr Hofmeyr who concluded that this was behaviour typically seen in seals infected with rabies. The perimeter was immediately widened while dr Hofmeyr contacted Dr Gerhard Cilliers from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in Cape Town.
SMART was also instructed to ask Captain Johan Ehlers to be on stand-by to euthanise the animal.
The order was sent directly to him by Dr Cilliers and SMART immediately communicated with the public to move out of earshot, especially if they had children with them.
The seal was humanely euthanised at approximately 16:00, and the SPCA immediately removed the carcass. It will be tested for rabies by the state veterinarian.
The SPCA removes the seal carcass. Photo: Michael de Nobrega
Smart said this incident again emphasised how rapidly seal behaviour can change from a docile sleeping animal, to one exhibiting extremely aggressive behaviour. The public is once again cautioned to stay well clear of all seals and to contact Smart immediately (072 227 4715).
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