Reported Seal, Hersham

📍 Location: Hersham   📅 Date: Tuesday 1 September   👤 Responder: Val

• A caller reported a seal at Hersham, and volunteer Val walked from Pienaarstrand to Hersham.
• No seal was found, assumed to have gone back into the water.

🦭 Status: Not located. Presumed to have returned to the water.

Two SAFS Collected for Rehab, HAH

📍 Location: HAH   📅 Date: Wednesday 2 September   👤 Involved: Dr Greg Hofmeyr; Hout Bay Seal Rescue

• Dr Greg Hofmeyr travelled from Gqeberha to collect two sub-antarctic fur seals (subbies) at HAH. They had been found on Cape Town beaches and rescued by Hout Bay Seal Rescue.
• Two HBSR volunteers drove them up to Mossel Bay, where Greg collected them for rehab at Bayworld. Lulu and Dolly joined in-patient Pebbles, for care until they are strong enough to be released.

🦭 Status: Lulu and Dolly transferred to Bayworld for rehabilitation, joining in-patient Pebbles.

Subbie Rescue and Transfer, Reebok Beach

📍 Location: Reebok Beach   📅 Date: Friday 5 to Saturday 6 September   👤 Responders: Michelle, Jèlane; Sr Stefanie (HAH); Nolan, Val

• Another subbie stranded on Reebok beach, here in Mossel Bay. He was rescued by Smarties Michelle and Jèlane and taken to HAH.
• This morning he was treated by Sr Stefanie for dehydration, and collected by Nolan and Val for a road trip to the Crags near Plett. There they met Greg for the transfer and next leg of the trip to Bayworld.
• We hope to see these four subbies released in a month or two, to swim the currents back to sub-Antarctica.

🦭 Status: Treated for dehydration and transferred to Bayworld. Release expected in a month or two.

Radio Interview: Rabies Awareness in Seals

📍 Location: Radio Suidkaap   📅 Date: Thursday 3 September   👤 Featured: Val; Fred Orban

• On Thursday, Val was interviewed by Fred Orban on Radio Suidkaap. The subject was rabies in seals, aiming to create awareness without scaremongering.
• Also highlighted was the work of Wits student Thabiso Mokhatshane, who needs 600 people to respond to a questionnaire for his MSc degree in Vaccinology. If you can assist, please click the link in the following post.
• He is looking for anybody who potentially comes into contact with seals, from Plett to Stilbaai: surfers, rescue workers, NSRI, lifesavers, shore and offshore anglers, ocean sports people and more. It takes about 15 minutes to complete the form on your phone.

📻 Status: Awareness raised. Survey still open, see the linked post to take part.

Till next week, be blessed and keep well. 🐾

Elephant Seal Ashore, Cape Point

📍 Location: Cape Point (outside our operational area)   📅 Date: Week of 24 August   👤 Notified via: Mossel Bay Stranding Network; Meredith

• We had only two reports, from two different people, about a large elephant seal ashore. Where? Cape Point, somewhat further than our operational area!
• We posted the photo and message on the Mossel Bay Stranding Network, and Meredith very quickly responded by notifying the relevant people.
• We are rather surprised that someone in the Cape Town area called our number, because he was advised to notify SMART by a friend. Not complaining, just glad we could get the message through.

🦭 Status: Report passed on to the relevant team in the Cape Point area.

Keep well, stay blessed. We hope for another quiet week. 🐾

Kogia Assessment, Jongensfontein

📍 Location: Jongensfontein   📅 Date: Monday 17 August   👤 Responders: Rene, Patrys, the Rangers

• The Kogia that had beached at Jongensfontein the day before was assessed, sampling was done and photos taken, as requested by Deon Kotze, DFFE.
• Many thanks to Rene, Patrys and the Rangers for being available. We are very grateful to have volunteers and supporters who are prepared to step into the breach in that part of the coast.

🔬 Status: Assessed and sampled for DFFE. Photos and samples submitted to Deon Kotze.

Deceased Seal, Viking Fish Factory

📍 Location: Viking Fish Factory   📅 Date: Thursday 20 August   👤 Responders: Mario; Carol (Saprec)

• Viking Fish Factory called to report an ‘animal’ wedged in between the dolosse. It is often a battle getting through security at the boom, but Mario persevered, and Carol from Saprec also responded.
• Mario did some hectic climbing and located a long dead seal in the water, lodged between the concrete dolosse.
• Viking called later that day to ask when we would be removing the animal. Not our mission, not the Municipality’s problem, let it be!

🦭 Status: Located, long deceased and inaccessible. No removal undertaken.

Till next week, be blessed and keep well. 🐾

Deceased Sub-Antarctic Fur Seal, Diaz Beach

📍 Location: Diaz Beach   📅 Date: Monday 10 August   👤 Responders: Johan, Riana

• A deceased sub-antarctic fur seal washed up at Diaz and was reported by volunteer Johan. The weather was really terrible, with continuous rain, lightning and thunder that prevented any sample and data collecting.
• Johan and Riana went down on Tuesday and reported that the carcass was decomposing and crawling with maggots, so no sampling was possible.

🐾 Status: Carcass too decomposed for sampling. No data collected.

Cape Fur Seal Monitoring, The Point

📍 Location: The Point   📅 Date: Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 August   👤 Monitored by: Tersia, Louis, Ursula, Sarie, Mario, Johan

• A CFS hauled out at the Point, in full view of the many visitors to that area. This necessitated ongoing monitoring by Smarties, to keep both the seal and the public safe.
• This animal returned to the water almost every day, then hauled out in the same area after an hour or two. It spent four days on and off the rocks, and we are immensely grateful to Tersia, Louis, Ursula, Sarie, Mario and Johan for watching over it.

🦭 Status: Monitored for four days. Returned to the water of its own accord.

In Memory of George: Kleinbrak

📍 Location: Kleinbrak   📅 Date: Thursday 13 (passed), necropsy Friday 14 August   👤 Present: Dr Greg Hofmeyr, Mfondo; Drs Frans and Cailin, Sr Stefanie, Robert (HAH); Riana, Val

• During this time we had continued monitoring George at Kleinbrak. He was getting increasingly weaker and thinner despite treatment from the veterinary staff at HAH, and showed no interest in fresh morsels of fish we tried to feed him.
• Dr Greg Hofmeyr made arrangements to come down on Friday to assess the situation. On Thursday morning, during our daily visit, we found that he had died, still lying in the same mud wallow he had been resting in for almost four weeks.
• Greg travelled down on Friday as planned, and together with his research assistant Mfondo, the entire crew from HAH (Drs Frans and Cailin, Sr Stefanie and assistant Robert) and Smarties Riana and Val, a comprehensive necropsy was carried out. Back-breaking work for hours, with heavy hearts.
• Please visit the HAH FB page for photos and further information.

🕯️ Status: George passed away after almost four weeks ashore. Necropsy completed; findings to follow.

Cape Fur Seal Euthanised, Kleinkrantz

📍 Location: Kleinkrantz, near Wilderness   📅 Date: Saturday 15 August   👤 Responders: Lily, Shelly, Monica; Capt Johan Ehlers

• No respite for weary souls. A severely injured CFS stranded at Kleinkrantz. Although just beyond our operational area, the George Smarties hit the road running. Thank you, Lily, Shelly and Monica, for responding to this call-out.
• After sending photos to Dr Hofmeyr, he advised that the animal be euthanised. Our go-to person in these instances is Capt Johan Ehlers from Mossel Bay. Without demurring, he drove the 60km to the beach to end the poor animal’s suffering.

🦭 Status: Euthanised on humane grounds, beyond our usual operational area.

Deceased Kogia Reported, Springerbaai

📍 Location: Springerbaai   📅 Date: Sunday 16 August (today)   👤 Follow-up: Rene; Deon Kotze

• This afternoon we received a report about a deceased Kogia at Springerbaai. Rene will locate it tomorrow and liaise with Deon Kotze about further steps to be taken.

🐬 Status: Reported. Retrieval and next steps planned for Monday.

This week has been sobering and sad, but once again we have proof of how SMART responds as a team, and how valuable every member of our team is. Smarties, you are simply the best! Salute and thank you.

Till next week, go well. 🐾

George the Elephant Seal: Growing Concern

📍 Location: Withheld at the landowner’s request   📅 Date: Monday 3, and 6–7 August   👤 Support: HAH veterinary team; Stefanie, Cailin, Val

• On Monday the HAH stalwarts visited George and gave him a second rabies vaccination. He has not moved from his mud wallow and is lethargic.
• Stefanie, Cailin and Val visited George on the 6th and 7th and tried to interest him in some pilchards and calamari. Sadly, he did not respond much.
• He is getting visibly thinner, and we are concerned about his health.
• He has been visited by a clawless otter, whose tracks were in the mud all around him. Hopefully this animal enjoyed the fishy morsels we left in the vicinity.

🦭 Status: Lethargic, thinner and not responding to food offered. Closely monitored.

Second Elephant Seal, Molly: Nautilus Bay

📍 Location: Nautilus Bay   📅 Date: Wednesday 5 to Saturday 8 August

• A second elephant seal hauled out at Nautilus Bay, a charming female who has been named Molly.
• She is in much better condition than George, and stayed until Saturday 8th.

🦭 Status: In good condition. Departed on her own after four days.

Deceased Sub-Antarctic Fur Seal, Diaz Beach

📍 Location: Diaz Beach   📅 Date: Sunday 9 August (today)

• We received photos and a report of a deceased sub-antarctic fur seal on Diaz beach. The drenching rain, hail and thunder prevented us from going down, but we will see if we can find it tomorrow.

🐾 Status: Reported but not yet retrieved. Weather permitting, follow-up planned for Monday.

Till next week, go well. 🐾

George the Elephant Seal: A Media Star in Hiding

📍 Location: Withheld at the landowner’s request   📅 Date: Ongoing since 15 July   👤 Support: SMART volunteers; HAH veterinary team

• George has graced us with his presence since 15 July, has featured on the front page of newspapers, and has been mentioned on radio stations. We have been able to keep his actual location out of the media, and the landowner has kindly allowed SMART volunteers to check up on him as much as necessary.
• The HAH crew have also been down to assess him and are hoping to give him a booster rabies vaccination this week, if he is still languishing in his mud puddle.
• Yesterday we received a call on our rescue number from a resident at a nearby holiday accommodation, reporting that two shore anglers had seen a strange large animal while walking along the riverbank. They thought it was deceased but could not identify the species!
• Hopefully George heads back down river soon; it is going to be difficult keeping his exact location quiet for much longer.

🦭 Status: Still ashore and under regular monitoring. Booster rabies vaccination planned for this week.

See our FB page for recent photos of this special visitor.

Till next week, be blessed. 🐾

George the Elephant Seal: Still Ashore

📍 Location: Withheld at the landowner’s request   📅 Date: Visit Tuesday 21 July   👤 Support: HAH veterinary team

• Our elephant seal George is still lingering ashore. He does not look to be in robust health, very thin, but still responsive.
• He has also been ‘playing’ in the mud, probably trying to scoop it over his body as they tend to do with beach sand.
• On Tuesday the caring professionals from HAH paid him a visit and administered antibiotics and antiparasitic meds.
• We will continue monitoring him, and hope he does not follow Columbo’s lead, who stayed for 41 days last year!

🦭 Status: Under veterinary care and monitored. Thin but responsive.

Juvenile Seal, Reebok Beach

📍 Location: Reebok Beach   📅 Date: Friday 24 July   👤 Responders: Michelle, Jelanè; Dr de Graaff (HAH)

• A young juvenile seal stranded at Reebok. Michelle and Jelanè responded and took her to HAH.
• She had a fractured mandible and, despite Dr de Graaff being hopeful about treating her, she died during the night.

🕯️ Status: Rescued and treated for a fractured jaw, but did not survive the night.

Till next week’s updates, keep well. 🐾

Elephant Seal Haul-Out, Garden Route

📍 Location: Withheld at the landowner’s request   📅 Date: Wednesday 15 July   👤 Support: Dr Greg Hofmeyr; HAH

• An interesting visitor hauled out in our area: a large adult elephant seal! In deference to the farmer on whose farm he chose to rest, we have not disclosed his location or posted any photos on social media.
• If he is still here tomorrow, Dr Greg Hofmeyr will travel down to tag him, and he will also receive a rabies vaccination from HAH. Greg thinks he is 8+ years old, a very chilled and splendid chap!
• At first sight, the farm manager thought it was a horse lying in the sedge. Believe us, he is quite a bit bigger!

🦭 Status: Resting comfortably and monitored. Tagging and rabies vaccination planned if he remains.

Deceased Dolphin, Moquini

📍 Location: Moquini   📅 Date: Thursday 16 July

• A deceased dolphin was reported from Moquini. Unfortunately it is a long walk on the beach and the carcass was not fresh, so no measurements or samples could be collected.

🐬 Status: Carcass too decomposed for sampling. No data collected.

Mandela Day Beach Clean-Up, Hartenbos

📍 Location: Hartenbos   📅 Date: Friday 17 July   👤 Partner: V3 Civil Engineers

• We joined a beach clean-up at Hartenbos as part of the 67 Minutes for Mandela campaign, organised by V3 Civil Engineers, who also presented us with a generous donation.
• Great work for a great cause! Please visit our FB page for photos of the clean-up.

💙 Status: Beach cleaned and a generous donation received. Thank you, V3 Civil Engineers.

Saturday and today: the ellie seal is still enjoying his visit to the Garden Route. Watch this space for updates.

Till next Sunday, go well. 🐾

Remember to share

Specimen Handover to DFFE, Mossel Bay

📍 Location: Mossel Bay   📅 Date: Friday 10 July   👤 Received by: Deon Kotze, DFFE Cape Town

• Deon Kotze from DFFE in Cape Town passed by on his way home from Port Alfred, and we handed over the specimens collected from a dolphin at Dana Bay.
• Happy birthday Deon, we hope you enjoyed your potjie! Thank you for your staunch and unwavering support over the last 10 years.

🔬 Status: Dana Bay dolphin specimens handed over to DFFE for analysis.

Deceased Dolphin Calf, Suiderkruis Beach

📍 Location: Suiderkruis Beach, Great Brak River   📅 Date: Sunday 12 July (today)   👤 Responder: Val

• A caller reported a small deceased dolphin on Suiderkruis beach in Great Brak River. Val responded and found a recently born male calf, with no significant injuries.
• The neo-natal folds (stripes) were still visible, as were the rostrum whiskers, both signs of a very young animal.
• A sad way to end an otherwise uneventful week.

🐬 Status: Newborn male calf recovered. No significant injuries observed; cause of death undetermined.

Till next Sunday, go well. 🐾

Live Stranding: Dwarf Sperm Whale, Kleinbrak Beach

📍 Location: Kleinbrak Beach   📅 Date: Monday 29 June   👤 Responders: SMART volunteers, incl. Sr Stefanie de Graaf (HAH); Dr Frans de Graaff

• A live Kogia sima (dwarf sperm whale) stranded on Kleinbrak beach just after 11:00. SMART volunteers, including Sr Stefanie de Graaf from HAH, found the female kogia still in shallow water, bleeding from multiple lacerations caused by rocks and releasing brown ink that discoloured the water.
• She was in great distress. We managed to move her a little higher up the beach, though still in the rising tide.
• After consulting Dr Greg Hofmeyr and Dr Gerhard Cilliers (DFFE), the decision was made to euthanise her. Dr Frans de Graaff proceeded with chemical euthanasia, while Smarties spoke to members of the public about what was being done, and why it was necessary.
• With help from some strong young bystanders, the deceased animal was moved well out of reach of the water, and perimeter tape was positioned around her to alert the public.

🐋 Status: Euthanised on humane grounds after veterinary consultation. Moved above the tide line and cordoned off pending necropsy.

Necropsy & a Heartbreaking Discovery: Kleinbrak and Reebok Beach

📍 Location: Kleinbrak Beach; Reebok Beach   📅 Date: Tuesday 30 June   👤 Responders: Stefanie, Michelle, Carly, Marisa, Val; Oceans Research interns

• A number of SMART volunteers proceeded with a necropsy, having consulted Dr Hofmeyr about what he required. Thank you Stefanie, Michelle, Carly, Marisa and Val, for your invaluable help.
• We were assisted by interns from Oceans Research, who were tremendously involved and a great help. Without them it would have taken us much longer. We salute the teamwork from all involved. The Municipality was advised that they could arrange for the carcass to be removed.
• While taking the first photos and measurements, we noted that the kogia was lactating. This meant the possibility of a calf somewhere offshore, or a pregnancy. Sadly, it was both.
• We discovered that a calf had also stranded about 2.5 km south of Kleinbrak, on Reebok beach, and during the necropsy we removed a perfect little foetus from the mother. We can probably assume that three generations, mother, calf and unborn baby, were lost during this stranding.
• A partial rainbow over the bay during the euthanasia was not much comfort. In fact, the Smarties had to swallow hard and wipe away some tears.

🔬 Findings: Three generations lost, mother, calf and foetus. Samples retained for analysis; carcass removal arranged with the Municipality.

Cape Fur Seal Juveniles: Diaz and Pienaarstrand

📍 Location: Diaz Beach; Pienaarstrand   📅 Date: Wednesday 1 July   👤 Responders: Ursula, Carly, Val; Dr de Graaff (HAH)

• Two very young Cape fur seal (CFS) juveniles stranded during the day, one at Diaz and the other at Pienaarstrand. Ursula collected the Diaz seal, while Carly and Val attended to the other one.
• Both were transported to HAH for assessment by Dr de Graaff. Both were euthanised because of concerning symptoms, and both will be tested for rabies and HPAI.

🦭 Status: Both euthanised owing to concerning symptoms. Samples submitted for rabies and HPAI testing.

Deceased Penguin, Glentana Beach

📍 Location: Glentana Beach   📅 Date: Wednesday 1 July   👤 Responders: Val

• While on the beach at Pienaarstrand, a beachwalker informed Val of a dead penguin on Glentana beach. She collected it as well and took it to HAH to be scanned for an ID chip.

🐧 Status: Recovered and taken to HAH to be scanned for an identification chip.

While dealing with these unfortunate incidents, we are very happy to see so many whales back in our waters, especially the mums and their calves. The circle of life continues!

Totsiens till next week.