Business as (un)usual this week. A challenging dual-rescue on Tuesday involving a neurologically affected Cape Fur Seal pup and a loggerhead turtle hatchling was followed by a school outreach visit to Gourikwa on Thursday, and the exciting possible sighting of a tagged elephant seal bull at Pinnacle Point.
Incident 1 — CFS Pup with Neurological Symptoms, Diaz / Hartenbos
📍 Location: Diaz Beach → Hartenbos Beach 📅 Date: Tuesday 10 March 👤 Responders: Louis, Ursula, Marelize
- An older CFS pup was reported stranded at Diaz Beach, displaying worrying neurological symptoms requiring removal from the beach.
- The pup returned to the water twice before Ursula and Marelize could reach it. Hours later it stranded a third time — this time on Hartenbos Beach, where it was successfully captured.
- The pup was transported to Hartenbos Animal Hospital for assessment and care.
⚠️ Outcome: The pup continued to display aggressive behaviour consistent with neurological illness and was humanely euthanised on Wednesday. Tissue samples have been sent to the State Vet for testing.
Incident 2 — Loggerhead Hatchling Stranding, Hartenbos Beach
📍 Location: Hartenbos Beach 📅 Date: Tuesday 10 March 👤 Responders: Ursula, Marelize (during CFS rescue)
- During the CFS pup rescue, a bystander reported a turtle hatchling stranded nearby. One rescue became two.
- The loggerhead hatchling was also transported to Hartenbos Animal Hospital.
- On Wednesday the hatchling was transferred to Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town — the second loggerhead arrival of the 2026 season.
🐢 Outcome: Hatchling safely in expert care at Two Oceans Aquarium. Season total: 2 hatchlings rescued.
Outreach — School Visit, Gourikwa
📍 Location: Gourikwa 📅 Date: Thursday 12 March 👤 Responders: Tersia, Linda
- Tersia and Linda travelled all the way to Gourikwa to present a marine conservation talk to 37 learners from Bramble Hill School.
- School visits are a key part of SMART’s mission — educating future generations about the marine environment and the importance of conservation.
Sighting — Elephant Seal Bull, Pinnacle Point
📍 Location: Pinnacle Point 📅 Date: Thursday 12 March 👤 Responders: Remote sighting / photo report
- Photos were received of a large elephant seal bull resting in a bay at Pinnacle Point.
- A tag could not be confirmed between his large flippers from the available images, but this may be Bossie — an elephant seal tagged at Diaz last year by Dr Greg Hofmeyr.
- Further observation planned if the animal is still present. Watch this space, and visit the SMART Facebook page for updates.
Watch this space — and have a great week. 🐾