MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Two seal attacks took place today, 5 October at Santos Beach.
Two people were bitten while enjoying the water, a 56-year-old man and a young adult whose age and gender is not yet known.
According to the Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T), there was an hour between the two attacks. It is unclear whether the same seal bit the two people.
Both victims were taken to Life Bay View Private Hospital where their wounds are being treated and they are receiving prophylactic rabies treatment.
The SPCA and S.M.A.R.T. both came to the scene and had eyes on the seal in the waves, but struggled to identify which seal it was, as two others had also appeared. The three seals were spotted by S.M.A.R.T. using a drone.
Lifeguards urged swimmers to get out of the water while the incident was dealt with, although some ignored the warnings.
There have been previous reports of seals infected with rabies in the Mossel Bay area, which have since been euthanised.
Both organisations are concerned about public safety, as the seal(s) from these attacks could potentially be infected with rabies.
The SPCA, S.M.A.R.T. and the Mossel Bay Municipality have urged the public to stay out of the water if a seal is seen nearby.
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