UPDATE: Seal found on Winkle Beach
The seal was doing really well this morning and it was decided to relocate it to a safer quieter area.
A Sub-antarctic fur seal that washed-up on Winkle Beach on Saturday, May 28, has been relocated to a safer and quieter area.
“We are pleased to report that the seal was doing really well this morning, May 30, and it was decided to relocate it to a safer quieter area. Thank you to everyone for their concerns, especially to the community neighbourhood watch for looking after the seal and making sure no harm came to him,” said Amanzimtoti SPCA manger, Tracey Girling.
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When the seal first arrived, it appeared to be exhausted and in need of some rest. The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCAs) inspectors and Amanzimtoti SPCA worked to create a temporary barricade around the seal so that he could rest safely. A veterinarian from uShaka Marine World and local authorities were also contacted and were on site.
During the night, there was a shift roster with dedicated volunteers to watch over the seal.
Before the decision was made to relocate the seal, a statement from KZN Marine Stranding Network, said the decision had been taken to allow it to rest as the long swim would have been energetically costly and it may take a few days to regain its strength before returning to the water.
According to the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (Saambr) Sub-antarctic fur seals, South African fur seals and Southern elephant seals periodically wash up on KwaZulu-Natal beaches, sometimes thousands of kilometres from their home range.
To report stranded sea animals, call uShaka Sea World on 031 328 8222 or 031 328 8060.
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