JEFFREYS BAY – A seal displaying aggressive behaviour was captured and euthanised at Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape on 16 November after allegedly attempting to bite surfers at a popular surf spot, The Point.
Marisa Kruger, an inspector for Humansdorp SPCA Assisi, said their team had assisted with the incident on the morning of 16 November at The Point in collaboration with Law Enforcement, NSRI, Bayworld and CapeCross Vets.
She urged anyone witnessing unusual or aggressive seal behaviour to report it to authorities immediately.
“The public is advised to avoid contact with seals and is reminded that it’s illegal to harass any coastal wildlife, including seals. They should also keep dogs away from the seals,” said Kruger.
According to a statement released by Bayworld, a museum based in Gqeberha, the small seal was first spotted at Supertubes and then washed ashore at The Point.
The statement alleges that the seal attempted to bite surfers. The surfers successfully fended off the seal with their surfboards and exited the water uninjured.
One of the surfers then contacted the local NSRI station, who immediately mobilised a team while contacting local authorities. By the time the NSRI had arrived, the seal was ashore.
The statement said that the NSRI contacted the Bayworld stranding response programme and cleared the area of people and dogs when the seal came ashore.
“Information regarding the incident was conveyed to Bayworld who noted that the seal was very likely a yearling and that the behaviour was characteristic of rabies in seals,” the statement said.
Municipal law enforcement, the local SPCA and a Bayworld team captured the seal after it was sedated by a veterinarian.
The statement said that permission from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment was obtained for euthanasia. This was based on expert assessment indicating that the seal was dangerous to the public, suffering, and that recovery was not possible.
“The carcass was removed to Bayworld for brain sampling in collaboration with the state veterinarian, with results expected soon. If positive, this would be the first confirmed rabies case for the Eastern Cape,” the statement said. “This incident was the first for the seal rabies response plan for the Kouga Municipal area.”
The statement said that success is indicated by the absence of any bites to people or dogs, and the removal of the seal. Furthermore, protocols will be refined in light of this event.
“The public is reminded to keep their distance from seals, both in the sea and on land,” the statement said.
“Response to any seals ashore should only be by experts. The stranding response team are trained, experienced and vaccinated and have the appropriate equipment and permits to deal with these situations.”
The statement further said that all seals are protected by law and that it is an offence to harm or disturb them.
The public can report seal sightings or unusual behaviour to the Bayworld stranding hotline 071 724 2122, Assisi SPCA 073 121 8963, NSRI 079 916 0390, or Kouga Law Enforcement 042 200 2200.
