Discovering Cape fur seals entangled in an array of discarded fishing lines, bits of plastic box wrapping, and other floating debris and pollution is a sad but common occurrence, according to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA Wildlife Department, which often gets called out for these incidents.
After receiving a report from a Kalk Bay Harbour tour guide of a young seal pup in distress, what was thought to be a routine disentangling of fishing line became a complicated operation.
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The seal was reported to be struggling to swim with some fishing line wrapped around one of his flippers and having no use of the entangled limb.
SPCA wildlife department supervisor Jon Friedman arrived on the scene, got the young seal out of the water and began the disentangling process when he discovered that the situation was more complicated than he had anticipated.
‘It was quickly apparent that the line wasn’t only wrapped around the outside of the flipper, but also deeply embedded inside the flipper as well,’ said Friedman.
It was believed that the fishing line inside the flipper was anchored to the bone by a fishing line.
The seal pup was bundled up and secured in a transport box to be sent to the SPCA Animal Hospital where X-rays revealed no fishing hooks, just lots of fishing line wrapped around the flipper, added Friedman.
Attending veterinarians surmised that the seal had become entangled some time ago and the fishing line continued to cut deeply through the skin until it got to the bone. The wound closed over time and the fishing line remained trapped in place, eventually seizing the joint and limiting the seal’s movement.
SPCA says the seal would have certainly starved as a result of not being able to hunt properly.
Following an hour of delicate surgery, the wound was thoroughly cleaned and a total of a metre and a half of fishing line was carefully removed without damaging any of the bones it was wound around.
After a week of medication, supplements, good food and rest, the seal regained movement in the flipper and was returned to the Kalk Bay Harbour.
SPCA says discarded fishing gear remains a significant threat to all marine life in all places where recreational fishing takes place.
The animal organisation urges all fishermen to act responsibly by disposing of fishing tackle properly in bins or taking it with them when they leave.
When thrown in the ocean, it can become life-threatening for seals and a host of other marine wildlife.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA Wildlife Department responds to all cases of injured wildlife. If you come across any wild animal in need of rescuing, please contact the Cape of Good Hope SPCA on 021 700 4140 or email [email protected].
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Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA
