As many plan to hit the beaches in December, CapeNature is asking all of us to enjoy our coastline with a little extra awareness, especially when it comes to Cape fur seals.
Cape Town, South Africa (20 November 2025) – These (very adorable) animals are a big part of what makes our shores feel alive, but authorities are urging everybody to keep a safe distance from seals.
Cape fur seals often haul out on beaches to rest, warm up, or escape rough seas. That part is normal. What’s changed is that authorities have recently picked up positive rabies cases in seals, along with reports of unusually aggressive behaviour.
Add to the fact that seals carry other diseases and have a seriously powerful bite, and it becomes clear why giving them space is for their safety and yours.
Under South African law, petting or interacting with seals, even pups, is actually illegal without a permit. It disrupts their natural behaviour and puts people at risk. If you see a pup alone on a beach, the best thing you can do is keep your distance and call the proper responders. They’re trained to assess whether the animal needs help.
And if you’re in the water? Keep a lookout. Surfers and swimmers are asked to exit immediately if a seal behaves oddly or seems to approach with unusual confidence. Lifeguards will take it from there, closing the beach if necessary and alerting marine experts.
In the unlikely event that someone is bitten, scratched, or even licked by a seal, there is a process that must be followed:
- If a seal bites/ scratches someone in the water, the beach will be closed immediately, marked by the activation of a shark siren and the raising of a shark flag, if available.
- Shark spotters or lifeguards will promptly notify CapeNature and the State Veterinarian, who will provide guidance on the necessary action. Municipal Disaster Management and appropriate Marine Stranding Networks will also be informed.
- Lifeguards or first responders will monitor and track the seal’s movements.
- The beach will only reopen after the seal has been safely removed or has vacated the area.
- Anyone bitten, scratched or licked by a suspect rabid seal should seek urgent medical care at the nearest hospital. At the scene, the wound must be thoroughly washed with soap and water for 10-15 minutes. The person must then be taken to the nearest hospital to receive post-exposure prophylactic treatment against rabies. The patient needs to inform the hospital personnel that the bite/ scratch/ lick is from a seal that may be rabid.
- A video of the seal’s behaviour should be captured if possible and sent to CapeNature at 083 236 2924, including a location pin. This will be placed on the appropriate stranding network for advice and planned reaction.
This might sound like a lot, but there’s a positive side to it. Giving seals space doesn’t just keep us safe; it protects them, too. A peaceful and undisturbed seal is a healthy seal, and respectful behaviour from beachgoers helps keep our coastal wildlife wild, thriving, and stress-free.
Contact details for Provincial Veterinary Services are available here.
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