Donate Shop Find a Base Call for Help Now

NSRI EMERGENCY
OPERATION CENTRE (EOC)

087 094 9774

The City of Cape Town is advising the public to stay away from seals as far as possible, and with immediate effect.

The Western Cape Provincial Veterinary Services has confirmed this afternoon, 7 June 2024, that a Cape Fur Seal off the coast at Big Bay has tested positive for rabies. This seal died on 22 May and the laboratory results came in earlier today.

As such, the public must take extra precaution to stay away from Cape Fur Seals as far as possible, and to not, under any circumstances, allow their dogs close to these animals. This precaution applies to the entire Cape Peninsula coastline.

Any person bitten by a seal is urged to seek immediate medical attention, and to notify the relevant authorities. The same applies to any pet bitten by a seal.

The authorities will continue to investigate and will keep the public informed.

See the following links for recent media releases with more information about rabies:

· https://www.westerncape.gov.za...

· https://www.capetown.gov.za/Me...

End

Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town

Media enquiries: media.account@capetown.gov.za

Next Article

A commercial fishing vessel, capsized at the backline surf zone at Umgababa Main Beach

Read More

You may also like

RESCUE OPERATIONS  | Published: 21 OCTOBER 2026

NSRI – Richards Bay – Wednesday, 21 October. A maritime medical evacuation operation of 2 injured seafarers

Norman Rautenbach, NSRI Richards Bay station commander, said: At 14h29, Monday, 19 October, NSRI Richards Bay duty crew were placed on alert to prepare for a maritime medical evacuation operation for 3 male seafarers injured onboard a 292-meter bulk carrier ...

RESCUE OPERATIONS  | Published: 20 OCTOBER 2026

Belgian tourist recovering after non-fatal drowning near Buffalo Bay

A 48-year-old man from Belgium is expected to be discharged from hospital today after a non-fatal drowning incident at a remote beach between Brenton-on-Sea and Buffalo Bay on Monday afternoon. The man, on a cycling holiday with his family, is ...

RESCUE OPERATIONS  | Published: 20 OCTOBER 2026

Mining vessel crew assisted after RHIB loses motor power

On Saturday morning, NSRI Port Nolloth volunteers on a routine training exercise responded when a local mining vessel raised concern for three of her crew who had gone ashore on their RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat) and not been heard ...