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Special visitor to South Coast beach receives VIP protection

If you do come across this special visitor, please leave a minimum distance of 10 metres between yourself and the seal and call this number: 031 328 8222. This number is manned 24/7.

June 25, 2021
Shona Aylward 1 minute read
The leopard seal.
 
Penguins which are stranded on KwaZulu-Natal beaches are certainly in trouble and need human intervention.
 
This is, however, not the case for seals which sometimes haul out on beaches throughout KZN.
 
Ann Kunz of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) said she received a message that a leopard seal was spotted on a lower South Coast beach.
 
Staff from SAAMBR went to assess the seal which appeared to be in good condition.
 
After consulting with international and local leopard seal experts, a decision was made to leave this very rare visitor undisturbed on the beach and allow him time to rest before returning home to the Antarctic.
 
Lower South Coast SPCA and security personnel from Wolf Security have been guarding the seal.
It does return to the water from time to time and then either reappears at the same spot or some distance further north or south.
Wolf Security and the SPCA staff are currently keeping the seal safe.
 
Ms Kunz said that if you do come across this special visitor, please leave a minimum distance of 10 metres between yourself and the seal and call us as soon as you are able to and we will send a team to your location.
 
This seal is capable of causing serious bodily harm to both humans and dogs.
 
Whilst you are waiting for the team to arrive (this should not take more than 15 mins) please make sure that your dogs do not disturb the seal and make no effort to chase it back into the water.
 
It needs to conserve every ounce of its vital energy for the long journey home.
 
You can contact 031 328 8222. This number is manned 24/7.
 

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June 25, 2021
Shona Aylward 1 minute read

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shonaaylward

Shona Aylward is a vastly experienced journalist working as a senior reporter. Aside from her extensive community involvement and story writing, she is also involved in creative page layout, and the various media platforms. Shona began her career with Caxton at the Southlands Sun. Previous to this she worked in the marketing industry for surf magazines. Shona is a renown 'greenie' and champions environmental causes. She is also Mom to a number of dogs and cats, and the occasional uninvited snake. When she can find some spare time, it's usually to the beach that she heads.
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