Second chance for stranded seal pups

Our dedicated Wildlife Unit – with guidance from Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) – is embarking on a pilot project to return stranded Cape fur seal pups to False Bay’s Seal Island ... in an attempt to give them a second chance.
 
With help from the City of Cape Town’s Nature Conservation division –  the SPCA has set up a temporary holding facility in Westlake; rescued seal pups will be stabilised here by SPCA Inspectors and trained volunteers from the Two Oceans Aquarium; NSRI; and Sanccob.
 
Around twice a week – weather permitting –  the SPCA will safely transport the young seals on a semi-rigid boat operated and generously provided by David Hurwitz of the Simons Town Boat Company.
 
The team will get as close to the island as possible after which the pups will be gently placed – one at a time – into a net attached to a long pole and carefully deposited on to the island. Each seal will be specially tagged to enable  researches to identify them and record if they have reunited with their mother.
 
CoGH SPCA CEO Allan Perrins says: ‘This project is only possible because of the support we’ve received from the public – and in particular the Hans Hoheisen Charitable Trust.’
 
This Trust – which is managed by BoE Private Clients in its capacity as sole Trustee – also donated a new vehicle to the CoGH SPCA Wildlife Unit.
 
Pick ‘n Pay; Reef Wetsuits; and the Corner Surf Shop also donated towards the seal pup initiative.  To find out what’s still needed please call 021 700 4140 or visit www.spca-ct.co.za

‘It’s still too early to say whether this initiative will be successful but we’re quietly optimistic ’ added Perrins.
 
To report a stranded or injured seal please contact the SPCA on 021 700 4140 or a/h on 083 326 4140.