The City of Cape Town wants to remind the public to respect all wildlife and to avoid any interaction as much as possible.
This request follows an incident on the False Bay coast on Monday, where swimmers approached a southern right whale and her calf.
Also read: Watch: Mother whale and her calf give Clifton beachgoers a show
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city at half the price? Get exclusive offers here.
The City received numerous complaints from concerned residents on Monday morning, 6 November, reporting that three people had swum out from the Glencairn Tidal Pool to see a southern right whale and her calf.
One such complaint included a photograph showing one of the swimmers within just a few metres of the whale and her calf.
The City said it is illegal in terms of both the Threatened or Protected Species Regulations (TOPS) and the City’s coastal by-law. The regulations and by-laws prohibit any person or boat from being within 300 metres of a whale.
Following this incident and the recent case at Strand, which resulted in the death of a seal, the City would like to re-iterate its call to all residents and visitors to please respect our coastal wildlife.
Also read: City warns of serious consequences resulting from seal harassment
Alderman Eddie Andrews, the City’s deputy mayor and mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, said with the tourist season around the corner, the City is excited to welcome all to Cape Town but implores all visitors and residents to respect the coast and its protected areas and abide by the by-laws.
‘Wildlife is wild, and should be appreciated from a respectful distance at all times,’ said Alderman Eddie Andrews
The public is reminded that:
- It is your responsibility to keep a safe and legal distance away from all coastal wildlife. This includes, among others, seals, otters, seabirds, whales and all other marine mammals
- It is your responsibility to make sure that your dog remains under your control at all times and is kept well away from all coastal wildlife
- Abide by signage that stipulates that dogs should be on a lead
- It is illegal to feed, touch, approach or harass coastal wildlife
- Those found transgressing the law along the coastline may be prosecuted
Please report all incidents to the City at 021 480 7700.
Open-water swimmers are reminded that vessels, boats and kayaks cannot see you when you are swimming. In the interest of the safety of all recreational users, open-water swimmers should use a surface buoy or beacon when swimming off our coastline.
Also read:
Canadian actor Jeff Teravainen creates epic video of African penguins
Picture: City of Cape Town
