Ragnar the seal ready for next big splash
The arctic seal, rarely seen off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, is well-rested and is ready to be relocated.
AFTER more than two weeks of rest at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research’s (Saambr) rehabilitation facility, Ragnar, a Crabeater seal, will soon be moved to Bayworld PE.
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According to Saambr, the seal was admitted on Friday, 29 January and is the third recorded Crabeater seal seen on the KwaZulu-Natal coastline in more than 40 years.
“When he arrived, although he was a little stressed after the journey from Ramsgate to Durban, he appeared to be in good health. We decided to leave him to rest and adjust to his new surroundings in his own time,” said one of his caregivers, Anna Eyre.
To help Ragnar adjust, the staff made numerous ice blocks that were placed both in and out of the water.
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“For the first four days that he was with us, he showed little interest in humans and even less interest in the food he was offered. The main diet of Crabeater seals is live krill and therefore it was understandable that he did not initially recognise our efforts at offering him pieces of defrosted fish,” said Eyre.
On day five he was fed with the lights off and he has since developed a healthy appetite and currently eats 3kgs each day.
Plans are underway, courtesy of The Bateleurs, to fly Ragnar to Bayworld PE next week.
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