‘It made my blood run cold’: Attack on seal at Cape Town beach condemned

The City of Cape Town has condemned the attack on a Cape fur seal at Monwabisi Beach on Sunday evening.

The seal had to be euthanised by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA after rocks were thrown at it.

Four arrested for attacking seal

An anonymous tip-off led to four suspects being arrested.

“This is one of the most brutal attacks on our wildlife in recent times. One cannot fathom the pain and stress the seal had to endure while this was happening,” said Eddie Andrews, the City’s deputy mayor and mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment.

“I am shocked and horrified and call on the public to please keep on notifying us when they see animals being attacked, harmed or in distress.”

Seal suffered severe wounds

Pictures shared by the SPCA showed the seal with a large gash on its head, as well as blood pouring out of its mouth.

The SPCA said one of its eyes has also been crushed and most of its teeth had been completely broken off in its mouth.

_{The seal was severely wounded during the attack at Monwabisi beach, Cape Town, on Sunday. Photo: Supplied/SPCA}

“Seeing the broken condition this animal was in when it was carried off the beach made my blood run cold. Not in 37 years of working in wildlife welfare have I seen such a case of abject cruelty visited on a defenceless animal that was in all likelihood just minding its own business,” said SPCA wildlife officer Jon Friedman.

Traditional healer

According to the SPCA, one of the suspects allegedly said a traditional healer had offered them R3 000 to kill the seal.

The suspects are facing charges of animal cruelty and of hunting a protected species without a permit.

“We will ensure that justice is served in the name of this seal. Torturing any animal is unacceptable and the suspects must face the full might of the law,” said SPCA Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse.

Andrews urged South Africans to be more respectful of wildlife.

“Cape Town is fortunate to have a coastline that is beaming with wildlife. We need to respect and treasure these animals,” he said.

“Cape Town’s unique location with its pristine coastline and Table Mountain National Park, together with protected areas and nature reserves, requires from all of us to be mindful of our impact on wildlife.”

The City of Cape Town urged the public to do the following when encountering wild animals:

Do not approach or try and get close to any marine and coastal wildlife. Their natural response will be to defend themselves and this may result in aggressive behaviour.
Always keep a respectful distance between yourself and any wildlife to reduce stress on the wildlife. Move away if approached by wildlife.
Never try and touch, or pose with, any marine and coastal wildlife. This places both you and the wildlife at risk of potential harm.
Keep dogs under control by keeping them on a leash and well away from all wildlife at all times. Remove pets immediately from any place where coastal wildlife is present.
Never feed any animals.
Do not support the illegal feeding of wildlife for show, such as the seals at the fishing harbours. This is an illegal activity and must not be supported financially, or otherwise.

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