[imagesource:Stefan Marks/department of conservation]

Beachgoers have been urged to leave seals alone after one of the poor animals died of stress following “days of repeated harassment”.

The seal died shortly after biting a local woman late on Wednesday on the popular Strand Beach. The woman was taken to a local hospital and treated for the attack wound, while the seal was also taken in for a health check at the Two Oceans Aquarium, where it later died, the city said per Barron’s.

“This is sadly a very common outcome when seals are stressed,” said the city’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews. “We ask that all residents and beachgoers in Cape Town leave these animals in peace.”

Andrews mentioned that over the last few days, the seal was simply trying to rest on the beach, “which is normal and expected seal behaviour” but was continually harrassed by every beach visitor and their dog.

“However, the seal has had stones and rocks thrown at it, been prodded with sticks, had dogs attack it, and many members of the public tease it so that they can take footage of the seal chasing them. I would like to advise all beachgoers that it is illegal to harass any coastal wildlife, and the responsibility rests with the public to keep their distance,” he said.

The seal was so fed up at this point that it eventually attacked a woman who was taking an evening stroll on the sand and walked into the animal by mistake.

The beach was partially closed on Thursday morning, so that the SPCA Wildlife Unit, with the help of Coastal Management and with permission of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DEFF), could safely capture and remove the seal. The idea was for the seal to get health clearance for release at a safe location away from people, but it ended up dying of excessive stress.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has also warned the public not to harass or tease animals for the sake of social media, per News24.

“Harassing or teasing animals for the sake of social media content is not only unethical, it can have fatal consequences for wild animals who can die from stress. Please have compassion and respect for resting seals,” SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said.

Four men who tortured a Cape fur seal to death in January were recently convicted and sentenced to six years in prison in the Khayelitsha Regional Court.

Again, this is a tragic end for a wild animal just trying to live its life in peace.

[source:barrons&news24]