Seal Untangled from 9 Lines in All-Day Rescue Effort

Photo Credit: Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation via Facebook

The dedicated Marine Wildlife Monitors from the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation embarked on a day-long rescue mission to assist a Cape fur seal that had been discovered hopelessly entangled in a staggering nine fishing lines.

Cape Town, South Africa (04 March 2025) – One big guy is finally moving around freely and breathing easy after being assisted by the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation Marine Wildlife Monitors who had discovered him in great distress.

A Cape fur seal, while casually enjoying the ocean as they do, had managed to get itself entangled in not one or two braided fishing lines, but a whole nine of them!

“Our dedicated Marine Wildlife Monitors – Ayanda Cimani, Abdullah Abrams, and Elviro Malan successfully removed nine entanglements from a single Cape fur seal.

“The nine braided fishing lines were wound tightly around the seal’s neck, proving to be extremely difficult to remove,” the Foundation explained.

The removal of the entanglements proved to be quite the mission and a full day’s work as the Wildlife Monitors took turns going under the Seal Platform to remove two or three loops at a time while the seal was enjoying a good ol’ nap.

Thankfully, all of the lines that had painfully tugged at the seal’s neck were removed with the greatest care at the end of the day!

This heartwarming rescue highlights the power of teamwork and the vital role these monitors play in protecting Cape fur seals and all marine life.

Huge thanks go out to the awesome Marine Wildlife Management team for helping out this precious creature when he needed it most!