Latest news with #BelindaAbraham
IOL News
25-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
Safety concerns lead SPCA to halt mobile clinic services in Khayelitsha
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has withdrawn mobile clinic services in Khayelitsha following two attempted armed robberies. Image: Supplied The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has withdrawn its Mobile Clinic Services in Khayelitsha after two attempted armed robberies on their staff in just a matter of days. In a harrowing incident, one of their mobile clinic operators shared how they managed to flee with their lives and saved four cats and 12 dogs, during a near hijacking incident. The team's SPCA vehicle was targeted twice in the same community in Khayelitsha in just two days. The operator, chose to remain anonymous due to safety concerns and described in horror how he faced two gun-wielding hijackers : 'I drove for my life and theirs. 'I'm the breadwinner at home. My immediate concern was what will happen to my family if I am not here anymore and what will happen to the animals in my van. 'Then I drove for my life and theirs. 'One gunman was in front of the vehicle and the other at my side window. I am thankful to God that I was able to get away.' Belinda Abraham, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA's Communications Officer said their staff had gone beyond the call of duty by rescuing the lives of the animals and their own. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'This attack followed an initial attempted hijacking of the same van in the same area just 2 days earlier,' she said. 'Inside the vehicle at the time were four cats and twelve dogs, all of which were being returned home following sterilisation at the SPCA's Animal Hospital. 'While the staff member escaped physically unharmed, the trauma of these attacks has left the mobile clinic team visibly shaken. 'Counselling and psychological support are being provided through the SPCA's staff wellness initiatives.' Abraham said in a bid to safeguard their staff, they have made the difficult decision to withdraw mobile clinic services in Khayelitsha. The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has withdrawn mobile clinic services in Khayelitsha following two attempted armed robberies. Image: Supplied 'This is devastating for the animals of Khayelitsha,' said Abraham. 'Crime threatens human lives and now it has robbed animals of essential veterinary care. 'The SPCA mobile clinics are a lifeline for pets in this community, pro‐viding vaccinations, sterilisation, and parasite treatments in an area where access to veterinary care is already so limited. We are incredibly saddened that it has come to this. 'Our priority remains the safety of our staff, who often work under extreme risk to provide services to animals in crime‐ridden areas. While we continue to seek safer ways to pro‐actively serve in these communities, our commitment to animal welfare in Khayelitsha will for the immediate future be limited to Inspectorate ser‐vices only. 'In November, inspectors who were attempting to remove two dogs from their owners were lucky to escape with their lives after bricks were thrown at them in Delft. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
Time Out
23-06-2025
- General
- Time Out
Rogue Cape baboon safely rescued
The Southern Suburbs community can rest easy following the news that a rogue Cape baboon, who had authorities on their toes last Friday, is now safely back on his home turf. Cape of Good Hope SPCA Communications Manager Belinda Abraham confirmed the successful rescue endeavour over the weekend after a "tense day of tracking and multiple evasions." "We're relieved to share a positive outcome for the young dispersing male baboon spotted in Claremont and surrounding areas. Our team, working alongside the Cape Baboon Partnership and a wildlife veterinarian, returned to the area where he had slept the previous night. The baboon was successfully darted, given a full health assessment, and is en route to be safely released into his natural roaming territory." "This outcome gives him the best chance to continue his natural dispersal without facing the many dangers posed by urban environments. Baboons do not belong in residential areas. Urban spaces are filled with threats: roads, fences, domestic pets, and people. While sightings may seem exciting, these moments are stressful and dangerous for wildlife," said Abraham. "A heartfelt thank you to the community for your cooperation and care, and to every member of the response team who worked tirelessly to ensure his safety. If you see a wild animal in distress, please contact the SPCA at 021 700 4158/9. Baboons remain protected under the Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974. It is illegal to harm, harass, or interfere with them," she added. While this chap didn't quite stir the same attention as Gordy the Elephant seal, the ordeal does highlight the interplay between nature and urban habitat encroachment - with baboon sightings more frequent in certain areas around Cape Town than in others. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Cape Town (@ What to do if You Spot a Baboon: Keep a respectful distance of at least 20 metres. Do not approach it or try to take close-up photos. Avoid forming crowds - this can stress or corner the animal. Do not block roads or interfere with the work of authorities onsite. On the Road: If you see the baboon near a road, slow down and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers. Be mindful not to box the animal in or cause panic by following closely. At Home: Keep dogs indoors while the baboon is in the area. Leave doors and windows open only if secured with gates or bars. Store bins inside a garage or enclosed area — baboons are opportunistic feeders. To report sightings or for assistance:
Straits Times
30-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Oh, Gordy: 2,000kg elephant seal takes a wrong turn, ends up in South African suburb
A 2,000kg elephant seal that ended up in a Cape Town suburb resting his head on the hood of a police car. PHOTO: CAPE OF GOOD HOPE SPCA Signed, sealed and delivered. After nine hours of drama and cuteness overload, an elephant seal the size of a small car was herded back to the sea after lumbering across a coastal town in South Africa. The young bull was reported to have lost its way and ended up along a street in Gordon's Bay near Cape Town, startling residents there who then began owning him and calling him 'Gordy'. 'This is unreal. Hi, bro, how did you get here?' one woman asked. The seal was first spotted early in the morning on May 27, already 1km inland. The local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said it was likely he swam over 1,500km to end up in Gordon's Bay. Police and a local security company tried to corral the seal by parking patrol cars around him. The 2,000kg creature rested his huge head on the hood of one car and half-climbed over another before slipping free, crossing a road and carrying on up a sidewalk. He stopped next to a shopping mall. He was also sighted on a small lawn outside a house. Animal welfare officials had worried he was too far from the ocean to find his way back and might become exhausted and dehydrated. 'Wild animals don't always follow the script, and this seal's unexpected journey into a residential area created real cause for concern,' Ms Belinda Abraham, an SPCA spokesman, said in a statement. 'With so many moving parts – traffic, onlookers and a massive marine mammal in distress – it took rapid coordination and clear focus to keep everyone safe,' she said. Police and animal welfare and marine wildlife specialists worked for nine hours to get a 2,000kg elephant seal back to the sea. PHOTO: CAPE OF GOOD HOPE SPCA A team of marine wildlife specialists and a city veterinarian sedated the seal and guided him into an animal transport trailer. By late afternoon, the vet gave the all-clear, and the seal was transported to Kogel Bay, where his recovery from sedation was closely monitored. As soon as he was fully awake, Gordy hopped his way back towards the sea. 'Sea you later,' the Cape of Good Hope SPCA said in a send-off video. The SPCA later reported that Gordy was again spotted on land, near a naval base in Simon's Town, and that he was in a 'safe and secure location with no immediate threats to his well-being'. 'It truly takes a village,' said Ms Abraham. 'We're incredibly grateful to everyone who stepped up today, for their professionalism, their compassion and their quick response to an animal in distress.' Southern elephant seals are the world's largest seal species and are commonly found in sub-Antarctic regions, not South Africa. But every once in a while, lone elephant seals – usually young males – find their way to South Africa's coast. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The South African
29-05-2025
- General
- The South African
Elephant Seal BACK on land – this time in Simon's Town
Cape Town's now favourite blubbery visitor has hauled out again - this time at the Naval Base in Simon's Town. Image: Facebook @CapeofGoodHopeSPCA Cape Town's now favourite blubbery visitor has hauled out again – this time at the Naval Base in Simon's Town. The SPCA has confirmed that the Southern elephant seal – unofficially named Gordy – is currently safe and secure in a location where he cannot access any roads, and there's no immediate risk to his well-being. A SPCA inspector and City of Cape Town officials are on scene, keeping a close eye on him. For now, he's simply resting, which is completely normal behaviour. The SPCA will continue to monitor him closely and are ready to step in if he shows any sign of distress or needs help. BACK STORY It's not every day that a Southern elephant seal makes an appearance in a residential neighbourhood, but that's exactly what happened in Gordon's Bay when a sub-adult male was discovered lounging alongside Sir Lowry's Pass Road, nearly one kilometre inland. The call came in at 06:20 and by 07:00, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA had arrived to assess the situation. What followed was a nearly nine-hour rescue operation involving a well-coordinated effort across multiple agencies to ensure the sub-adult male's safety and eventual return to a more suitable coastal environment. From seaside to suburbia Southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) are the world's largest seal species and are usually found in sub-Antarctic regions. While sightings in South Africa are rare, occasional lone individuals, typically young males, do haul out along our coastline during moulting or rest phases. But making it inland and into a neighbourhood is, by all accounts, highly unusual. 'Wild animals don't always follow the script, and this seal's unexpected journey into a residential area created real cause for concern,' said Belinda Abraham, Spokesperson for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA. 'With so many moving parts – traffic, onlookers, and a massive marine mammal in distress – it took rapid coordination and clear focus to keep everyone safe'. A safe return to the sea While the seal appeared to be unharmed, his urban detour posed risks – both to himself and to motorists. With the assistance of the Law Enforcement, Traffic Services, SAPS, Gordon's Bay Security and Gordon's Bay Medical Ambulance Services, the area was secured and traffic redirected while the SPCA, City of Cape Town's Coastal Management and Marine Unit, SANParks, Two Oceans Aquarium, Shark Spotters and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) stepped in. The SPCA monitored the seal's welfare throughout the incident, including during sedation by a wildlife veterinarian and the difficult process of loading the animal into the City's large game capture trailer. By late afternoon, the seal had been given the all clear by the veterinarian and safely transported to Koggel Bay, where his recovery from sedation was monitored before our team left the site. A community effort 'It truly takes a village says Abraham. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who stepped up today – for their professionalism, their compassion, and their quick response to an animal in distress.' Residents who encounter wildlife in urban spaces are reminded not to approach, feed, or attempt to assist the animals, but rather to contact the Cape of Good Hope SPCA for assistance. The number to dial is 0217004158/9, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. What's the strangest thing you've seen in your street? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Watch: Seal's safe return after nearly 9-hour rescue operation
The elephant seal that gave Gordon's Bay its 'seal of approval' after shuffling through a suburban part of the harbour town yesterday was safely returned to the ocean. The Cape of Good Hope SPCA reports that the rescue operation lasted nearly nine hours. Since then, several videos of the rescue and the animal's release have been shared across social media, drawing steady interest from viewers. The wandering marine mammal, since identified by the SPCA as a southern elephant seal, grabbed national attention yesterday when reports emerged of the animal on the move along Sir Lowry's Pass Road. Videos of the unusual sighting spread like a fast-moving tide. Elephant Seal Surprise in Gordon's Bay SPCA Inspectors are currently on site in Sir Lowry's Pass Road, where a rather unexpected visitor — an Elephant Seal — has found its way into a residential area. They're actively working on a safe and stress-free plan to relocate this… — alexlansdowne (@alexlansdowne) May 27, 2025 Within minutes of being reported, SPCA inspectors made their way to the area, and the rescue mission was put in motion. Timeline of events: Call came in at 06:20 Cape of Good Hope SPCA arrived at 07:00 and assessed the situation Law enforcement, traffic services, SAPS, Gordon's Bay Security and Gordon's Bay Medical Ambulance Services secured the area and redirected traffic The SPCA, City of Cape Town's Coastal Management and Marine Unit, SANParks, Two Oceans Aquarium, Shark Spotters and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment stepped in Wildlife veterinarian sedated the animal The team undertook the daunting process of loading the animal into the city's large-game capture trailer By late afternoon, the seal was cleared by the veterinarian The animal was safely transported to Koggel Bay – approximately 16km away from Sir Lowry's Pass Road Recovery from sedation was closely monitored 'Sea you later' – rescue complete Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham, in a post on their website, said: 'Wild animals don't always follow the script, and this seal's unexpected journey into a residential area created real cause for concern. With so many moving parts — traffic, onlookers, and a massive marine mammal in distress — it took rapid co-ordination and clear focus to keep everyone safe.' The post added that encounters with these magnificent animals on our shores are uncommon, usually limited to solitary, often juvenile, males seeking a brief respite or a place to shed their old coats. She concluded: 'We're incredibly grateful to everyone who stepped up today — for their professionalism, their compassion, and their quick response to an animal in distress.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cape of Good Hope SPCA (@capespca) Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
