RARE SOUTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL
October 11, 2010 by dyertrust
The Dyer Island Conservation Trust received a call from Lucinda Verwey in Vermont (Hermanus) regarding an injured seal at Vermont.
It turned out to be a juvenileSouthern Elephant seal(Mirounga leonina), a rare visitor to South Africas shores. Apart from a small injury it was in good condition.
There was a small wound on the right hand side of the lower abdomen and also on the back. The eye seemed injured as well and the animal was placing the eye in the waterperhaps in an attempt to cool the eye. By later that day the seal had returned to sea.
It is great to receive such calls from the public and thus have the opportunity to be able to document these sightings.
