Western Cape authorities revealed that it is aware of the reports regarding seals being found dead on the West Coast, but rule out avian influenza as the cause of death.
According to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, malnutrition is the main cause for the thousands of dead Cape Fur seals that have also been washing up on the shores of Shelly Beach, Elands Bay.
The department said about 144 seals were buried between Laaiplek and Dwarskersbos on Tuesday, November 2 while 50 others were buried at Elands Bay.
However, Environmental Affairs MEC Anton Bredell indicated that the provincial government are currently investigating the deaths that have been reported over the past weeks, News 24 reports.
Also read: Avian flu outbreak decreasing in the Western Cape
Meanwhile, authorities are also battling to control an outbreak of Avian Influenza among wild seabirds in the province. According to reports, around 500 of these birds are dying each day, but not all corpses wash up on beaches and are often washed out to sea. This could mean that the death toll is a lot higher than this.
Also read:
Look! The demise of a humpback and the mystery of decaying seals
Picture: Cape{town}etc gallery