Rabies a threat to not only seals, but also whales and dolphins

After a third seal tested positive for rabies in the Mossel Bay area, the Western Cape department of agriculture says it is concerned about the potential impact of rabies on the marine ecosystem and seal population.

- Chelsea Pieterse

Dr Greg Hofmeyr, who is the curator for marine mammals at Bayworld in Gqeberha and a seal biologist, told the Mossel Bay Advertiser there is a theoretical chance whales and dolphins could contract rabies if bitten by rabid seals.

The third seal, found on the beach at Tergniet, east of Mossel Bay, on 25 August, was picked up by Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (Smart) after the organisation received a call about the animal behaving strangely.