The Hout Bay Sea Rescue Centre (HBSRC) has issued a statement clarifying a recent incident involving a seal rescue in Cape Town, as the initial portrayal of events turned out to be inaccurate.
The HBSRC sought to rectify the misconception that a certain individual was a hero in this situation.
‘Please read and understand our thoughts on this terrible event. Sadly, the media hailed the incorrect character as a hero. It’s important to get the full story before running with a media release. Nobody knew the events leading up to this story, but Wousie (not Charles) is not a hero.’
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In its statement, the HBSRC acknowledged that there was a misidentification of the person who was initially praised as a hero. The centre stated that the full context and events leading up to the incident were unknown at the time and that, contrary to the media’s portrayal, it was asserted that an individual named Wousie (not Charles) should not be regarded as a hero.
The HBSRC noted that the juvenile seal appeared to have been distressed or injured, resulting in it displaying unusually docile behaviour. They questioned the motive behind such an act, suggesting that it may have been an attempt to exploit the situation for financial gain.
Wousie had reportedly acted inappropriately towards their staff, even shouting, ‘Don’t take my baby away.’
‘It’s a wild mammal, and no one’s baby,’ the HBSRC emphasised.
Regrettably, due to severe dehydration and organ failure, the HBSRC was left with no choice but to euthanise the seal.
The HBSRC expressed deep concern about the potential consequences of this incident. There is concern that it might encourage individuals without financial means to exploit wildlife for personal gain while masquerading as heroes.
In closing, the HBSRC made it unequivocally clear that it does not endorse the actions of the individual involved in this incident. It stressed that seals are protected species, and their interactions with humans should be limited to those who are authorised to handle them.
The centre urged the public to refrain from approaching seals and advised anyone encountering a seal in distress to contact the HBSRC for professional assessment and assistance.
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Picture: @itstheveganwoolff / TikTok