UPDATE: Twini the seal just needs to ‘fatten up’
A thorough medical check noted no external injuries, except for an old injury to his right eye.
Twini (as he was found on Umtentweni beach) had a busy week travelling up and down the coastal strip.
“We just need to work out his target weight and get him to reach that goal,” she added, saying he is doing fine.
Twini’s story began when SAAMBR received a call over the weekend from members of the KZN Stranding Network to let us know that a seal had stranded on Winklespruit Beach.
He was then seen resting on the beach in front of the lifesavers’ building at Umtentwini beach.
In consultation with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife staff it was thought that as the seal, who was named Twini by the lifeguards, appeared to be in relatively good condition.
It was decided that the best option was to leave him on the beach and allow him the opportunity to rest and regain his strength before he made the 1970km journey home.
Staff from the Lower Coast SPCA, members of the public and the local lifeguards took turns in keeping a 24-hour vigil over Twini while he rested.
However, by Monday morning when it was clear that keeping watch over Twini late at night presented challenges, the decision was made to relocate Twini to a quieter beach on the lower South Coast.
Unfortunately, his condition did not improve as hoped and officials from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife asked SAAMBR staff to admit Twini to uShaka Sea World.
On arrival, Twini was found to be slightly underweight, lethargic and it was presumed that he was dehydrated. Appropriate IV fluids were administered and he was allowed time to rest overnight.
This morning, the team took x-rays and bloods, and the veterinary team were able to perform a thorough body check. No external injuries were noted except for an old eye injury to his right eye.
Subantarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus tropicalis) are found in the southern parts of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. It is most probable that Twini travelled to South Africa from the Prince Edward Island region.
The Prince Edward Islands are two small islands in the Subantarctic Indian Ocean that are part of South Africa.
