The auhtorities are investigating after six Cape Fur seals were stabbed at sea, and washed ashore at Kommetjie’s Long Beach, on Wednesday.
The City’s Coastal Management branch says the animals most likely due to drowning as a result of the trauma from their wounds.
The incident has been described as a ”terrible reminder of humans’ impact on coastal wildlife as the globe celebrated World Ocean Day on Thursday on 8 June.”
The City received reports from Kommetjie residents on 7 June, that six large Cape Fur seals have washed ashore dead, each with what appeared to be unusual wounds.
City officials went on site, assessed the carcasses, and decided, based on the unusual wounds, that further investigation was needed.
After consultation with both the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA (CGHSPCA), and it was decided to take all six carcasses – three males and three females – to the CGHSPCA for X-rays and full post-mortems to determine the cause of death.
The carcasses were delivered to the CGHSPCA on Wednesday evening.
X-ray and post mortems conducted by Sea Search and a wildlife forensics team confirmed that all six seals have been stabbed most likely while at sea, and as a result of traumas sustained from the stabbing, drowned and washed ashore at Kommetjie’s Long Beach.
The SPCA has also confirmed that two of the six Cape fur seals, were pregnant females.
The City, Sea Search and the CGHSPCA has expressed outrage at the incident.
The City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews said:
‘World Oceans Day is celebrated around the globe to create awareness of the protection of our coasts, ocean areas and marine wildlife. This is a horrific incident, and should sadden all of us. I want to plead with anyone who may have witnessed this incident to report the details to the SPCA.’
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The three organisations have committed to working with DFFE officials to ensure that when those who have committed this crime are identified and found, that the full extent of the law is applied.
‘We need to ensure that an appropriate example is set so that this senseless waste and cruelty to our marine wildlife does not happen again,’ said Andrews.
