An elephant seal, that has been described as a resident at Duiker Island near Hout Bay, has been vaccinated against rabies on 11 October, out of concern for contracting the disease, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: Buffel the elephant seal is back on the beach for annual visit
The reason for the seal, known as ‘Buffel’, receiving the rabies shot stems from the recent rabies outbreak in the South African and Namibian cape fur seal populations.
This has caused ‘legitimate concerns’ that Buffel would be in danger of contracting the disease, according to Jean Tresfon in a post made on Facebook.
‘He has a pretty nasty habit of using the local cape fur seals as chew toys, although he doesn’t seem to eat them,’ said Tresfon.
‘It is currently breeding season for southern elephant seals and this behaviour is most likely as a result of increased hormone levels,’ Tresfon added.
Therefore, local scientists and city authorities have implemented pro-active and forward-thinking steps to prevent Buffel and other animals from taking the disease back to the sub-antarctic islands.
‘Buffel has consistently chosen not to go back to the sub-antarctic islands where he would have the best chance at finding a mate, and as a result he takes out his frustration, or perhaps just misplaced affection, on the local fur seals,’ said Tresfon.
Among the team that vaccinated Buffel were Tresfon, Gregg Oelofse, City of Cape Town Coastal Manager, Ilse Jenkinson, Two Oceans Aquarium veterinarian, Jon Friedman, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Wildlife Unit Supervisor and Mike Meyer, marine scientist.
Also read:
Picture: Jean Tresfon – Marine Conservation Photographer / Facebook
