It has been a subbie week (sub-antarctic fur seals)! Four subbies are now on their way to rehab at Bayworld, a false alarm at Hersham kept a volunteer on her feet, and Val took to the airwaves to talk rabies awareness in seals.
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. 🐾