The massive elephant seal that captivated Gordon’s Bay residents this morning is now the subject of an intensive rescue operation, with plans shifting to immobilise the animal after initial attempts to lure it into a trailer proved unsuccessful.
Seal biologist Steve Kirkman, who is on the scene, identified the visitor as a sub-adult male Southern Elephant Seal, approximately five or six years old and weighing between 1 and 1,5 tons. Kirkman explained that while the animal is out of its normal range, it’s not entirely unusual for these seals to wander ashore during the summer or winter months, often associated with unusual circumstances.
“This guy is not yet of breeding age,” Kirkman stated, indicating his presence so far inland is likely disoriented. The seal is currently about 1 km from the sea and appears to be attempting to move further inland, away from the coast.
Initially, a barricade of vehicles was established near the Woolworths Food store along Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, in a bid to prevent the seal from venturing deeper into residential areas, and a wildlife trailer was brought in with hopes of enticing the animal inside. However, this approach did not yield the desired results.
“Plan B now is to immobilise him,” Kirkman confirmed. A veterinarian has administered drugs to the seal, and a significant amount of manpower will be required to safely manoeuvre the now tranquilised animal into the trailer.
The collaborative rescue effort involves representatives of the City of Cape Town’s Coastal Management Unit, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, the national Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and local law enforcement.
Officials are hopeful that the seal can be safely transported to a more secluded area soon.
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