Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 17 hours ago
This is what rabies looks like in a Cape fur seal pup. This video was taken by Steve Benjamin of Animal Ocean Safari's and shared with his permission in order to highlight these important issues.
From the colonies to the coastlines, rabies is spread through saliva, and in the final stages of the disease, it can appear as though rabid animals are 'programmed' by the virus to bite one another. Rabid animals come in all shapes and sizes. The most vulnerable seals at the colonies are perhaps more prone to being bitten, and newly born Cape fur seal pups are no exception.
These pups, born in November or December 2024, are contracting rabies from other seals at the colonies.
In the past two weeks, we have had the first positive cases, and in these instances, the seal pups, worn out and weak, were found on public beaches in Cape Town.
Never has it been more important to give wildlife the space it needs, to observe from a distance only, and to call the authorities if you see a sick or weak animal. Do not approach, and do not let your dogs interact; if they are bitten or scratched, it could be a death sentence for your beloved pet. An infected pup may seem more approachable—less of a threat compared to an adult seal—but please don't be fooled; they are still strong, their teeth are sharp, and a sick animal is unpredictable. A bite is a bite—however cute the animal might appear.
Rabies in developing countries is almost exclusively transmitted to humans through interactions (bites, licks, scratches) with rabid dogs. Children are disproportionately affected. Why? Because kids playing in the streets and villages are more likely to encounter stray dogs infected with the virus and less likely to report this to an adult. Additionally, the cost of post-exposure prophylaxis can be prohibitively high on a speculative basis.
However, a child exposed and untreated is more than likely to succumb to rabies, and each year around 60,000 people, mostly in developing countries, die from this disease. Once infected, and clinical signs are apparent, there is no cure.
Let's get informed, look after our wildlife and our children, and protect each other from this disease. Do not approach a seal on the beach—if it's healthy, it will return to the water of its own accord. If it appears sick, call the authorities. Send a location pin, and if possible, a photo or, better still, a short video.
Ensure your dogs are vaccinated, and share this video far and wide to educate our communities. If your child or anyone you know has been bitten by a dog or seal, please seek treatment for rabies straight away. There is no cost greater than the cost of a life that could have been saved.
We want to protect wildlife AND people from the rabies virus.
#animalobservations #filmoramobile #filmora #filmoramobile #birdcalls #bioacoustics #animalobservations #acousticecology #bioacoustics#listeningforlife #makingafricaheard#bird
This is what rabies looks like in a Cape fur seal pup. This video was taken by Steve Benjamin of Animal Ocean Safari's and shared with his permission in order to highlight these important issues.
From the colonies to the coastlines, rabies is spread through saliva, and in the final stages of the disease, it can appear as though rabid animals are 'programmed' by the virus to bite one another. Rabid animals come in all shapes and sizes. The most vulnerable seals at the colonies are perhaps more prone to being bitten, and newly born Cape fur seal pups are no exception.
These pups, born in November or December 2024, are contracting rabies from other seals at the colonies.
In the past two weeks, we have had the first positive cases, and in these instances, the seal pups, worn out and weak, were found on public beaches in Cape Town.
Never has it been more important to give wildlife the space it needs, to observe from a distance only, and to call the authorities if you see a sick or weak animal. Do not approach, and do not let your dogs interact; if they are bitten or scratched, it could be a death sentence for your beloved pet. An infected pup may seem more approachable—less of a threat compared to an adult seal—but please don't be fooled; they are still strong, their teeth are sharp, and a sick animal is unpredictable. A bite is a bite—however cute the animal might appear.
Rabies in developing countries is almost exclusively transmitted to humans through interactions (bites, licks, scratches) with rabid dogs. Children are disproportionately affected. Why? Because kids playing in the streets and villages are more likely to encounter stray dogs infected with the virus and less likely to report this to an adult. Additionally, the cost of post-exposure prophylaxis can be prohibitively high on a speculative basis.
However, a child exposed and untreated is more than likely to succumb to rabies, and each year around 60,000 people, mostly in developing countries, die from this disease. Once infected, and clinical signs are apparent, there is no cure.
Let's get informed, look after our wildlife and our children, and protect each other from this disease. Do not approach a seal on the beach—if it's healthy, it will return to the water of its own accord. If it appears sick, call the authorities. Send a location pin, and if possible, a photo or, better still, a short video.
Ensure your dogs are vaccinated, and share this video far and wide to educate our communities. If your child or anyone you know has been bitten by a dog or seal, please seek treatment for rabies straight away. There is no cost greater than the cost of a life that could have been saved.
We want to protect wildlife AND people from the rabies virus.
#animalobservations #filmoramobile #filmora #filmoramobile #birdcalls #bioacoustics #animalobservations #acousticecology #bioacoustics#listeningforlife #makingafricaheard#bird
![[SPAW 2023] Introduction + Hearing in air and water by Prof. Jakob Christiansen-Dalsgaard](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dnEYkUqn-tw/mqdefault.jpg "[SPAW 2023] Introduction + Hearing in air and water by Prof. Jakob Christiansen-Dalsgaard
The Sound Perception in Animals Workshop 2023 arose from the idea of bringing highly qualified experts in bioacoustics to promote capacity building for South African students and researchers on the topic. The event was possible due to the collaboration between the African Bioacoustics Community through Sea Search Research and Conservation and the University of Southern Denmark, taking place at the Shark Spotters venue, in Muizenberg, Cape Town, on the 17th of May 2023.
#soundperception #universityofsoutherndenmark #seasearchresearch #africanbioacoustics #bioacoustics #hearing #workshop #sharkspotters #stellenboschuniversity #capacitybuilding #universityofcapetown #muizenberg #airandwater #marine #terrestrial #mammals #birds #frogs #reptiles #workshop #soundperception #audiogram #research #africanbioacoustics #bioacoustics #seasearchresearch #universityofsoutherndenmark")
