KNYSNA NEWS - A seal displaying abnormal and erratic behaviour at Central Beach in Plettenberg Bay was humanely euthanized on Friday morning following expert assessment and in line with national rabies response protocols.
According to Bitou Municipality, the incident was first observed by Beach Control staff at the Central Beach launch site during the morning of 27 December.
The animal’s unusual movements immediately raised concern, prompting officials to activate established rabies safety procedures.
Plettenberg Bay shark spotters and Central Beach lifeguards were alerted without delay. As a precautionary measure, swimmers were cleared from the water when the seal moved closer to the bathing area.
The situation escalated when the animal came ashore near members of the public, requiring lifeguards to intensify crowd control to ensure public safety.
Video footage of the seal was shared with the Garden Route Rabies Response (GRR) group, a multidisciplinary team that includes leading marine and veterinary experts. Among them were marine mammal specialist Dr Greg Hofmeyer and veterinarian Dr Gwen Penry.
“Initial footage raised serious concern,” the municipality said. “Following further video review, experts confirmed that the animal’s behaviour was highly abnormal and consistent with symptoms associated with rabies.”
Based on expert recommendations from the GRR, the decision was taken to euthanize the seal in order to protect beachgoers and allow for diagnostic testing.
NSRI Station Commander Jaco Kruger and South African Police Service (SAPS) officer Anton Mostert, both members of the GRR response team, attended the scene. After careful observation and consultation with specialists, the seal was humanely euthanized approximately 200 metres offshore near Hobie Beach.
The carcass was retrieved and brought to the Central Beach launch site, where lifeguards continued to manage public access. The animal was then safely packaged and prepared for laboratory testing to confirm whether rabies was present.
Officer Mostert has since submitted a formal statement to SAPS, and the matter is being handled in accordance with national rabies response protocols.
Dr Hofmeyer emphasized that the decision was not made lightly. “The decision to euthanize was not taken lightly,” he said.
“The animal’s behaviour was highly abnormal and consistent with rabies, a fatal disease that poses serious risks to both humans and other animals. Removing the seal was the safest course of action to protect the public and to allow for diagnostic testing.
This ensures we can respond appropriately and transparently to any confirmed rabies cases in the region.”
Bitou Municipality spokesperson Andile Namntu praised the coordinated response by all parties involved.
“We thank our lifeguards, the NSRI, SAPS, and the Garden Route Rabies Response experts for their swift and professional handling of this incident,” Namntu said.
“Public safety remains our highest priority, and we urge residents and visitors to avoid contact with any wildlife displaying unusual behaviour.”
The municipality said further updates will be shared once laboratory test results become available.
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