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SANParks urges members of the public to refrain from making physical contact with seals – dead or alive – as there is currently an outbreak of rabies along the coastal shores of the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa. Rabies has, however, not been found in other marine mammal species.

Rabies in Cape fur seals is currently considered endemic in the Western Cape of South Africa. This means that the disease is established and persistent within the seal population – the first time this has happened in a marine mammal population.

Rabies is a serious concern in Cape fur seals, particularly due to their social nature and frequent close-contact interactions with humans, increasing the risk of transmission.  The disease is highly contagious, primarily spread through bites, scratches, or contact with saliva from an infected animal. The virus is transmitted when saliva from an infected seal enters the body of another animal or human, typically through broken skin or mucous membranes.

SANParks reminds members of the public that seals are wild animals, to stay away from them and not to make physical contact with them. If you are bitten by a seal, clean the wound thoroughly and seek immediate medical attention at a hospital.

SANParks’ responsibility is to keep an eye out for any unusual behaviour amongst seals (this can include overly aggressive seals, or even very tame seals), to report such behaviour as soon as it is observed and respond with appropriate action. The public, especially water users, are advised to be cautious when visiting coastal areas and urged to report any unusual seal behaviour.

Beach goers and water users may contact the offices of SANParks to report related incidents.

West Coast National Park: Contact 022 772 2144 between 8am–4pm (Mon–Fri) or standby number at 063 876 3566 from 4pm–8am daily to report incidents.

Table Mountain National Park Marine Unit: Telephone: 021 783 0234 (After hours the SANParks TMNP Emergency number 0861106417).

For more information please visit:https://www.nicd.ac.za/rabies-and-seals-in-south-africa-what-you-need-to-know/