AN emergency NSRI intervention that included a fast drive to Durban was not enough to save the life of a seal that washed ashore at 5 Mile Beach on Sunday afternoon.
Alerted by members of the public, Sea Rescue Station 19 members responded to assist the apparently injured Cape Fur Seal, after trying in vain to contact any marine animal rescue agency.
By this time the struggling victim had been caught by Corrie and David Pretorius at Kleiklipklofie and was then loaded onto one of the NSRI volunteers’ private bakkie.
Wrapped in blankets, comforted and transported in the care of the volunteer crew, it was taken to uShaka Marine World in Durban where vets were on stand-by.
‘It was confirmed that the seal was dehydrated and hypothermic and vets were able to feed the seal a milk lactate and begin a re-warming process,’ said Station 19 Commander, Dorian Robertson.
‘Sadly, we were informed on Monday morning that despite all our efforts, the seal had passed away.’
According to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife officer, Kevin Green seals regularly follow the sardine shoals but seldom venture this far northwards.
‘It is a South African Fur Seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus), and judging by its colour and size, a juvenile or young one.’
