Seal's final hours spent under protective watch
Despite the sad outcome, the overnight vigil ensured the animal's final hours were spent under care and protection.
An injured Cape fur seal that washed ashore on a South Coast beach had VIP protection earlier this week.
Security guards from Mi7 Port Shepstone spent the night protecting the injured seal.
The seal’s location was deliberately withheld to prevent crowds from gathering and to reduce stress on the animal.
This is the second seal to wash up in the area in the past month; it was located after reports were received through NSRI Shelly Beach.
It appeared to have suffered serious injuries, believed to be consistent with shark bites.
Concerned that the animal could be disturbed or harmed by members of the public, Mi7 stationed a guard at the beach throughout the night.
The team even went the extra mile by purchasing sardines to feed it.
The next morning, representatives from the Lower South Coast SPCA, Oceans Research and a veterinarian examined the animal.
Sadly, it was found to have sustained severe external injuries and extensive internal trauma.
Due to its condition and suffering, the seal was humanely euthanised.
*Did you know?
Cape fur seals are exceptionally agile marine mammals known for their massive size disparity between males and females. Thriving along the Southern African coast, they play vital ecological roles as both coastal predators and a primary food source for great white sharks.
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