A fur seal was severely injured in an attack inflicted by four suspects who have since been arrested. The City of Cape Town media office revealed that the injuries sustained by the seal were life-threatening.
Fur seal gets brutally stoned
This past Sunday evening, the SPCA was notified of four individuals attacking a fur seal on Monwabisi beach. During their call, the anonymous tipoff revealed that the fur seal was being stoned by these individuals. This attack comes just days after a baby seal attacked two swimmers on Clifton Beach.
Right now, it is unclear what the reasoning is for the attack on the fur seal but the matter has been dealt with. As a result, the City of Cape Town Media Office explained that the fur seal needed to be “humanely euthanized” in order for the injuries to be tended to.
Thus far, the City’s Deputy Mayor, Alderman Eddie Andrews expressed that this was one of the “most brutal attacks on our wildlife in recent times”.
He added, “One cannot fathom the pain and stress the seal had to endure while this was happening. 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.”
Keeping wildlife safe
In their plea to protect the wildlife, the City of Cape Town urged the public to continue informing them about similar attacks on the wildlife in the city.
To combat situations like this, the City of Cape Town shared some tips on how to deal with wildlife. They are as follows:
- Do not attempt to get too close to marine or coastal wildlife. They will feel threatened and act aggressively in order to protect themselves.
- Do not feed the marine or coastal wildlife animals.
- Keep a safe distance from marine or coastal wildlife to reduce stress on them. If approached, move away.
- Keep dogs under control and keep them at a safe distance on a leash from any wildlife. Remove pets immediately if there is coastal wildlife present.
- Do not try to pose or touch any coastal or marine wildlife. This put you and the wildlife at risk of potential harm.
- Do not entertain feeding of wildlife for show as this is illegal. This includes seals at harbors. It should not be supported in a financial way or any other means.
In case of any attack, injury, or distress caused to the wildlife, contact the City on 021 480 7700 by cellphone or 107 by landline.
Source: City of Cape Town