Following an increase in public harassment of cape fur seals along the coast, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has issued a stern warning to members of the public that physical interaction with or feeding seals is a criminal offence.
This is according to the Threatened or Protected Marine Species Regulations, 2017, which lists cape fur seals as a protected species.
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Expressing its concern, DFFE spokesperson Peter Mbelengwa said the department wishes to remind the public that this kind of behaviour is not only dangerous to the humans and seals involved, but is prohibited.
‘Recent incidents [of harassment] have included allowing dogs to approach and/or attack resting seals; throwing stones at seals, enticing seals to chase people for social media footage, including prodding them with sticks; otherwise, teasing seals for photo opportunities; hitting seals with paddles while canoeing; feeding seals for financial gain to allow for photo opportunities with the seal; and an alleged drowning of two seals by members of the public,’ Mbelengwa added.
Most recently, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA seized five seals from a group of ‘handlers’ who allegedly abused and exploited them at the Hout Bay Harbour.
It was reported that the seals endured several illegal activities, including beatings, overfeeding and being forced to engage in physical interactions with people, all driven by the human need for entertainment and financial gain.
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In the statement, Mbelengwa also added that four people had recently been convicted in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court for stoning a seal.
In January, the SPCA was alerted to a harrowing scene when a group of men were spotted attempting to kill an adult Cape fur seal by hurling large rocks at the trapped and terrified animal at Monwabisi Beach.
A City of Cape Town law enforcement officer detained the suspects until the SPCA arrived on scene.
The Khayelitsha Regional Court handed down a sentence of six years imprisonment, suspended for five years, contingent upon several conditions.
The seal was euthanised due to the severity of its injuries.
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In October, days of repeated harassment by members of the public on Strand Beach led to an adult seal eventually attacking and biting a visitor who walked into the seal after not seeing the animal.
The seal had had stones and rocks thrown at it, been prodded with sticks, had dogs attack it and many members of the public teased it for video footage.
After being captured by the SPCA and taken to the Two Oceans Aquarium for assessment, the seal later died due to excessive stress.
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‘Cape fur seals are wild animals and have been known to become unpredictably aggressive towards humans, particularly when harassed, resulting in serious injuries,’ said Mbelengwa. ‘The department emphasises that the activities currently taking place constitute harassment and are therefore a criminal offence.’
‘There are measures in place to rehabilitate or provide medical care to any seal should the need arise, and the public should therefore report any concerns they have to the department, the SPCA or the City of Cape Town,’ he added.
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Picture: Julia Fiander / Unsplash