Cape Town - The Hout Bay Seal Rescue Centre (HBSRC) has strongly condemned the attack on a juvenile seal at Muizenberg Beach on Thursday morning.

The non-profit organisation released a statement on Thursday, denouncing attacks on seals after yet another one of the animals was attacked and killed allegedly by people who were under the impression that it was infected with rabies.

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals. It is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, typically through bites, and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

Recounting the incident, HBSRC spokesperson Kim Krynauw said officials from the non-profit were activated to rescue a young seal that had come up onto the beach in Muizenberg.

“At about 9.30 am on Thursday, we received a call for assistance. One of our rescuers was immediately dispatched to attend to the scene,” Krynauw said.

“However, on arrival, she discovered that the seal was already dead on closer.

“Upon closer inspection, our team realised that the seal had been speared (stabbed) and had also sustained what looked like a head injury. This type of thing is happening more and more. We receive reports of seals being shot at, gaffed, and stabbed daily.”

“Just a few weeks ago, another young seal was beaten to death under the guise of disposing of an animal that had rabies. Not all seals have rabies, in fact only a small percentage do, so it is senseless to kill any seal you come across, just because you suspect it to have rabies,” Krynauw said.

“We need members of the public to refrain from engaging our wildlife, if you think it might be infected or in danger rather call the authorities and allow them to handle the matter. Our seals are protected animals. It is illegal and wrong to feed or harm them,” she said.

These sentiments were echoed by the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS), which also appealed to the public not to attack wild animals.

AWS spokesperson Allan Perrins said: “It is normal for seals to haul out to rest on beaches. They may behave aggressively if they feel threatened. However, this should not be misinterpreted as the seals being rabies-positive. People should take precautionary measures and avoid contact with seals.

“In this instance killing the seal was senseless, cruel and unlawful. By taking the law into their own hands the perpetrators unwittingly placed themselves at extreme avoidable risk,” Perrins said.

Following the incident, the body of the seal was handed over to the SPCA and Law Enforcement.

According to the SPCA, relevant authorities are investigating the matter in collaboration, with the City of Cape Town and the Department of Forestry Fisheries and Environment.

SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said: “I can confirm that the seal is deceased. It's unfortunately too early to comment on the cause of death until a postmortem has been carried out. We are appealing to anyone with any information that may assist us to contact The Cape of Good Hope SPCA on 021 700 4158/9 or email inspectorate@spca-ct.co.za”

The City of Cape Town’s Directorate for Spatial Planning and Environment also appealed to residents to keep well clear of seals hauled out along our beaches and to keep dogs far away from any seals (or other coastal wildlife) to limit disturbance and stress in these animals.

Mayco member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews, said that it was normal for seals to rest on our beaches before returning to sea.

Andrews also confirmed that there had been several incidents of attacks on seals in Cape Town in recent months.

“Injured seals are assessed by SPCA Wildlife Inspectors or authorised persons who are mandated to decide to rescue it from its location on the beach. Further decisions about seal welfare are made by veterinarians at the SPCA or rehabilitation facility and in consultation with the DFFE Oceans and Coast officials,” Andrews said.

“The recent outbreak of rabies in seals has meant a more stringent approach from the authorities responding to reports of sick/injured or unusual/aggressive behaviour in seals along the coastline.”

“Any person found causing disturbance to a seal may face prosecution in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), Marine Threatened or Protected Species regulations, and the Animal Anti-Cruelty Act. Offenders could also be fined by the City of Cape Town’s Coastal By-Law for disturbing marine wildlife along our coastline.”

“Seals are a protected species and no member of the public may take the law into their own hands,” Andrews said.

nomalanga.tshuma@inl.co.za

Cape Argus