WORD must be getting around among the local seal population about uShaka Sea World’s outstanding rehabilitation facilities, after another seal arrived at the facility at the end of September.
This time it was a young male sub-Antarctic fur seal rescued by KZN Wildlife staff on a Port Edward beach, a long way from home off Marion Island, which lies 1920kms southeast of Cape Town. The little seal was underweight and had sustained injuries to its flipper and lower back, possibly as a result of an unsuccessful shark bite.
When he arrived the new seal was given intravenous fluids and his wounds were treated with antibiotics. For three days the seals fate hung in the balance as he was dehydrated and weak. However, he has perked up considerably and gained about five kilograms – largely due to eating up a storm. As he grew stronger and his chances of survival improved, he was given the name Minion because, compared to his roommate, Selso and the resident Cape Fur Seals at uShaka Marine World, he was so tiny.
Minion is being fed pilchards, hake and cuttlefish to fatten him up and gelatine to boost fluid intake. Early blood tests results look very good.
Once both Minon and Selso have gained sufficient weight it is planned to release them together on the Continental shelf off Port Elizabeth which is their natural feeding ground. Selso currently weighs 163kgs but has to weigh at least 180 before he is deemed ready for release.
