Young seals resting on our beaches kept the phone ringing this week, and most needed nothing more than to be left alone. One weaner at Hartenbos was a different story, showing severe neurological symptoms.
Weaner and Yearling Seals on Our Beaches
📍 Location: Various beaches 📅 Date: Throughout the week 👤 Guidance: DFFE directives
- We have received numerous calls about young weaner and yearling CFS on beaches.
- According to DFFE directives, these young seals experience high energy demands when they wean and leave the colony. Those washing ashore are often completely healthy and simply need to rest.
- All those reported to us were no longer on the beach a few hours later.
⚠️ Public notice: Do not interfere, and do not chase them back into the water.
Weaner with Neurological Symptoms, Hartenbos
📍 Location: Hartenbos 📅 Date: Saturday 7 November 👤 Responders: Val, Nolan
- A call was received at 06:20 reporting a stranded seal at Hartenbos. A video showed a weaner with severe neurological symptoms.
- Val and Nolan responded and collected the animal. It died on the way to HAH.
- We are hoping that the State Vet will have the time and resources to test it for rabies and avian flu. With the upcoming holiday season, we would prefer to be informed about any suspect seals or spikes in rabies infections.
🕯️ Status: Died in transit to HAH. Rabies and avian flu testing requested, not yet confirmed.
Till next week, be blessed. 🐾