Recovery of a Cape fur seal

A TWO-and-a-half-year-old Cape fur seal that captured hearts after he was found with fish hooks lodged in his mouth and back along the KwaZulu-Natal coast is recovering positively, thanks to the right medical care and affection from seal experts.

- THOBEKA NGEMA

The SA Association for Marine Biological Research (Saambr) shared the story about the young Cape fur seal, now affectionately named Captain Hook, that was admitted into their care last month.

Captain Hook, only the second Cape fur seal to be documented in the past 21 years at uShaka Sea World's rehabilitation facility, was captured in eManzimtoti in early July, where it is believed he followed the Sardine Run up the coast.

When the sardines were no longer visible, he needed a new plan.

He saw what seemed like an endless supply of sardines connected to the end of the Toti fishermen’s lines.