Locals were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter early on Tuesday 17 February as a young, white crabeater seal hauled out on the sands of Strand Beach for a well-earned rest.
The visitor, estimated to be about one year old, drew a crowd of curious onlookers, but safety remained the top priority. Securite Public Safety officers arrived promptly, providing essential support to manage the scene.
Lisa Starr of Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement (Hoam) as well as volunteers of Hout Bay Seal Rescue was also on hand to monitor the seal and ensure the public kept a respectful distance.
Despite their name, crabeater seals are Antarctic natives and are incredibly rare visitors to the South African coastline. In the last 70 years only about 35 individuals have been recorded in the country.
This particular youngster appeared to be in good health. According to Starr, the seal was vaccinated against rabies and tagged by the Two Oceans Aquarium later during the morning.
“The seal was not injured; she was simply resting until she was ready to head back into the water,” Starr explained.
The traveller eventually bid farewell to Strand, slipping back into the surf just after 14:00. “Where she will next haul out is a mystery!” Starr added.
While these seals are the most abundant large mammals on Earth — with populations between 2 and 10 million in the Antarctic — their lives remain a mystery due to their isolated habitat. Interestingly, their name is a bit of a historical blunder.
Not crabs, but krill: They don’t eat crabs at all. They feed on Antarctic krill using specialised, multi-lobed teeth that act as a sieve to trap the tiny shrimp-like creatures.
A dangerous journey: While this visitor left safely, the trek north is often perilous. Far from their icy home, these seals can accidentally ingest large amounts of sand while trying to feed. This often leads to fatal complications like colic, a reminder of why monitoring these “vagrants” is so critical.
The successful monitoring of the seal was a team effort. Starr expressed deep gratitude for the ongoing support of Securite Public Safety, whose quick response helped keep both the public and the wildlife safe.
Experts remind the public that if they encounter a seal or any marine wildlife, they should stay at least 30 metres away. This gives the animal the space it needs to rest without stress.
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