A rare marine sighting along the Cape`s coastline caught the attention of conservationists and officials. A young female crabeater seal, a species rarely seen in local waters, was spotted resting on the shore this week.
The unexpected sighting, first observed near Baden Powell Drive and later in Strand, triggered a joined effort by wildlife experts and city officials.
Coverage published by Cape Times highlights that the seal likely traveled about 4,500 km from Antarctica. This distance is greater than what has been recorded for southern elephant seals along South African shores.
A joint response from the City of Cape Town, Helderberg Ocean Awareness, and experts from the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation made sure the area was blocked off. This allowed the animal to rest without being disturbed.
Environmental manager Gregg Oelofse stressed the importance of keeping a safe distance.
‘We are so lucky to have these amazing animals visit our shoreline. We appeal to all members of the public to please leave them alone, respect their space, and view them from a distance. They don’t need help, food, or water, the best we can do for them is give them peace and space.’
Meanwhile, marine specialists, including Martine Viljoen and her colleagues, performed a flipper-tagging procedure and gave a rabies vaccination. This was part of an ongoing study to monitor seal populations and visiting species.
Experts noted that when crabeater seals eat sand, it can indicate stress or confusion. This may lead to digestive issues.
The aquarium then stated that there is no immediate concern for the seal, and monitoring will continue.
‘This helps confirm whether repeated sightings involve the same seal rather than different animals, particularly when a seal hauls out at multiple locations along the coastline,’ Viljoen explained the purpose of tagging.
One of the specialists helping with the response had experience working on Marion Island, which is known for its seal populations.
Authorities have issued practical guidance for anyone encountering seals along the coast:
-
Stay at least 20m away
-
Remain behind barriers
-
Avoid pouring water on the animal
-
Keep noise and movement minimal
-
Keep dogs leashed
These precautions, officials note, help reduce stress and prevent unexpected interactions.
Enjoy the images below from Two Oceans Aquarium via Instagram, as the visiting crabeater seal takes a break along the Cape’s coastline during her unexpected stop.
View this post on Instagram
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Where to travel in South Africa when your dog is coming with you
Picture:Two Oceans Aquarium/ Instagram
