A beachgoer on Fish Hoek Beach in Cape Town was chased by a Cape fur seal while trying to snap a picture of the wild animal.
The seal was aggressive and could have led to the woman or itself getting badly injured. Despite the perception that seals are “cute”, they are still wild animals and should not be interfered with.
The City of Cape Town reminds the public that:
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seals are wild animals and should not be approached, or touched
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feeding wild animals habituate them to people which is harmful to the animal, as well as the public
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no one should feed a seal
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seals in general do not pose a threat to people if left alone and not harassed
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respecting wildlife and giving them adequate space will ensure that we can share the natural environment with them
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should a seal approach you, you are advised to simply back away slowly and leave the animal alone
Watch the close encounter below.
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