The Cape of Good Hope SPCA is calling on witnesses to come forward after the “horrific” find of six adult Cape Fur seals washed ashore with stab wounds in Kommetjie.
Residents alerted authorities after finding them at Long Beach on Wednesday 7 June.
X-rays and post-mortems conducted by Sea Search and a wildlife forensics team at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA confirmed all six were stabbed “most likely while at sea.”
According to Jon Friedman, Wildlife Department supervisor at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, X-rays revealed the seals were stabbed by a long-bladed knife and the wounds could not have been inflicted by any other means.
“The wounds were all identical, made by the same weapon, wielded by the same person, differing only in their penetrative depths.
“Some of the wounds pierced the heart and lungs, while other stabs hit bone and damaged other organs.”
Friedman added what was even sadder was that two female seals among them were pregnant, which actually meant eight seals were killed, taking the two unborn seals into account.
“We assume the seals all drowned at sea as a result of their wounds and later washed ashore on Long Beach, Kommetjie.
“There is an appeal for anyone with information please to come forward and make a report.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and the environment Eddie Andrews said the incident was horrific and sad, especially on World Oceans Day.
“This incident is a terrible reminder of humans’ impact on coastal wildlife as the globe celebrates World Oceans Day (7 June),” he said.
This is celebrated around the globe to create awareness of the protection of coasts, ocean areas and marine wildlife.
“This is an horrific incident, and should sadden all of us,” Andrews said. “I want to plead with anyone who may have witnessed this incident to report the details to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.”
After initially visiting the site where the carcasses were found, City officials consulted the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) due to the unusual stab wounds.
The carcasses, which are that of three males and three females, are currently in possession of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
“We need to ensure an appropriate example is set so this senseless waste and cruelty to our marine wildlife do not happen again,” said Andrews.
“The three organisations are committed to working with DFFE officials to ensure those who have committed this crime are identified and found and the full extent of the law applied.”
- Anyone with information on the crime or whoever may be responsible is requested to call 021 700 4158/9 or 083 326 1604, or alternatively email the Cape of Good Hope SPCA at inspectorate@spca-ct.co.za
- Reports can also be made anonymously.
