A Cape fur seal was rescued after being stoned on Monwabisi beach, Khayelitsha on Sunday.
- Four men have been arrested for stoning a Cape fur seal on Monwabisi beach on Sunday.
- The men were charged with animal cruelty, as well as illegal hunting of a protected species.
- The seal was euthanized due to the severity of its injuries.
- WARNING: Graphic images below.
A trapped Cape fur seal had to be euthanized after it was attacked and stoned to death by four men on Monwabisi beach in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on Sunday.
The four suspects have since been arrested after being caught stoning the seal after concerned observers alerted law enforcement and the SPCA.
SPCA spokesman Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse said the group of men were trying to kill an adult Cape fur seal by throwing large rocks at it, while it was trapped and unable to escape attack.
He said the seal had been rushed to a 24-hour private veterinary practice where it was humanely euthanized due to the severity of its injuries.
The attending veterinarian reported that the seal had suffered severe facial and skull fractures, was bleeding profusely from the mouth, had one of its eyes crushed, and that most of its teeth had been completely broken in the mouth.
SPCA wildlife officer Jon Friedman said: “Seeing the broken condition this animal was in when it was pulled from the beach chilled my blood. In 37 years of working in wildlife welfare I had never seen a case of such abject cruelty visited on a defenseless animal that was in all probability just minding its own business.”
A Cape fur seal was rescued after being stoned on Monwabisi beach, Khayelitsha on Sunday.
The alleged motive for the attack is reported to have been that a traditional healer had commissioned the men to do so and offered them R3,000.
Animal cruelty charges have been brought against the men, as well as charges of hunting a protected species without a permit.
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“We are trying to track down the traditional healer and then we will pursue further charges,” Pieterse said.
Deputy Mayor and member of the Mayor’s Committee for Spatial Planning and the Environment, Eddie Andrews, said this was one of the most brutal attacks on wildlife in recent memory.
“One cannot comprehend the pain and stress the seal had to endure while this was happening. I am shocked and horrified, and I ask the public to continue to notify us when they see animals attacked, harmed or in distress,” she said. .
“Cape Town is lucky to have a coastline teeming with wildlife. We need to respect and treasure these animals. We’ve said this many times before, but I want to remind the public to keep a safe and respectful distance from marine animals at all times. time and not interfere with or feed them. Pets should be removed where wildlife is present.”
Pieterse said: “We will ensure that justice is served on behalf of this seal. Torturing any animal is unacceptable and suspects must face the full power of the law.”
