Latest news with #uShakaSeaWorld
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Health
- Russia Today
South African seal rescued from fishing hooks (PHOTOS)
A young Cape fur seal is recovering at Durban's uShaka Sea World, South Africa, after being found with several fishing hooks embedded in his body, the news outlet IOL reported on Wednesday. It's only the second case of its kind in the KwaZulu-Natal region in more than 20 years, according to the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR). Nicknamed 'Captain Hook' by staff, the two-and-a-half-year-old male was caught in early July at eManzimtoti, a coastal town just south of Durban. Marine experts believe the seal had followed the annual Sardine Run before food shortages drove him to seek bait from fishing lines, resulting in his injuries. Hooks were removed from his mouth and back, and he was treated with antibiotics and pain relief. A further gastroscopic examination found one more hook in his oesophagus, but a decision was made to leave it in place as according to SAAMBR spokesperson Ann Kunz it posed no immediate health risk. The seal is gaining weight on a diet of pilchards, hake, sprats and squid, with the latter 'being his least favourite (he believes squid is just like broccoli),' she said. 'He still has a long way to go before he reaches his goal weight, but it is safe to say that he is now out of the woods and on the road to recovery,' SAAMBR press service reported on Tuesday. 'Captain Hook' remains in quarantine for rabies monitoring, despite vaccination, as a precaution. Cape fur seals in South Africa and Namibia have previously tested positive for the virus. In May, another young male southern elephant seal was rescued after wandering through the streets of Gordon's Bay, near Cape Town. The Cape of Good Hope SPCA said the seal was secured near a shopping center and later returned it to the sea, sharing video of the release.
The Herald
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald
uShaka Sea World team bids farewell to Jabu the seal
Jabu, the oldest seal with the SA Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), died on Tuesday afternoon. The association, which includes the Oceanographic Research Institute, uShaka Sea World and uShaka Sea World Education, said Jabu was about 33 years old. The seal was four years old when he was rescued at a beach in the Eastern Cape after a huge storm hit the area in 1996. "Jabu was an icon and legend in his own right. He brought so much joy not only to the staff but to the millions of guests who met him during the daily shows. "It was easy to fall in love with Jabu, who we called our gentle giant. "He played a big role in SAAMBR's mission of connecting people with the ocean and promoting marine conservation," the SAAMBR said. Over the past few years Jabu began to slow down and started showing signs of his age. "The level of husbandry and medical care at uShaka Sea World is of such a high standard that Jabu reached an age a seal would not normally attain in the wild. He enjoyed interacting with the animal care team and having fishy snacks right until the end," the association said. Though Jabu's passing was not unexpected, it left an "enormous hole in the hearts of the SAAMBR team, many of whom have worked with him for almost 30 years". Staff member Hayley Tennant said: "Jabu was such a sweet soul, a true gentleman and a legend. His grace, strength and mischievous spirit have always been an inspiration to me. I am truly honoured to have known him and to have been part of his life for the past three decades. Rest in peace beloved Jabu." TimesLIVE
