First it was Buffel who captured the imagination of many. Then it was Gordy the massive elephant seal that captivated Gordon’s Bay and Hermanus residents early this year after an intensive rescue operation.
And now it is Alfie, who came ashore at Onrus Beach on last Thursday morning. The Overstrand Municipality cordoned off the area while the Onrus Vermont SRA and their volunteers ensured that the seal and visitors were kept safe. Residents hoped that Alfie would stay on the beach for an early moult, but all he needed was some deep relaxation and unfortunately he returned to the ocean on Saturday. According to experts male elephant seals typically moult from January to March, with females and juveniles moulting earlier in the spring and summer. This annual process involves coming ashore to shed their fur and outer layer of skin, which takes about four weeks to complete.
According to Meredith Thornton, National Stranding Co-ordinator of the South African National Stranding Network, the mark on Alfie’s chest is not from moulting, “but there is a possibility that he will go into moult somewhere along our coast in the coming months”.
According to the Overstrand Municipality if people want to observe seals, it is fine to do so, just as long as they keep their dogs on leashes, children under control, are quiet and staying 30m away. It is important not to get between the seal and the water, or between the water and its resting spot, it is still a wild animal.
Meredith reminds the public that rabies is endemic in Cape fur seals so people must stay well clear of seals and keep their pets vaccinated at all times. Rabies is a fatal disease.
