Stay clear of seal, warns City
2013-02-08 20:03
Johannesburg - People should stay clear of an elephant
seal that came ashore at Blouberg Beach in Cape Town, the City said on Friday.
"An appeal is made to the general public not to
interfere with the mammal, as the sea animal can cause harm to a person,"
spokesperson Wilfred Solomons-Johannes said in a statement.
He said the seal came ashore at Table View on Thursday
morning.
"Accordingly to the city's officials, the mammal did
not sustain any injuries and is resting," Solomons-Johannes said.
"The city wishes to advise the general public that
this behaviour is normal for seals to come ashore to rest."
He said the animal had moved along the shoreline between
Table View and Blouberg since Thursday.
The oceans and coasts branch of the department of
environmental affairs had placed poles and rope in front of the animal to
restrict people.
However, several people had managed to cross the barrier.
"The city's law enforcement, as well as nature
conservation, is monitoring the site," Solomons-Johannes said.
"The Cape of Good Hope SPCA [Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals] has been alerted to be on standby should the
marine mammal suffer any injuries."
- SAPA
