This rescue team is providing an urban safety net for Cape Town’s iconic seals

In the industrial port of Cape Town’s Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape fur seals have lived among cargo ships and yachts for almost two decades. When the sun is out, they emerge to lounge on the jetties, and when it’s time to feast they hunt in the bustling harbour. These mammals seem to have everything they need. But their playful and inquisitive nature can land them in dangerous situations, from getting stuck in the docks to becoming intertwined in litter. To protect them, the Two Oceans Aquarium launched the Marine Wildlife Management Programme. 

Native to southern Africa, Cape fur seal colonies are vast. But this doesn’t mean individuals are safe. These semi-aquatic animals spend as much time on land as they do in the water, which places them in direct contact with human hazards. At the Waterfront, a rescue team patrols the marina every day. They’ve found seals wrapped in box bands and discarded fishing lines which cut into the animals’ flesh, eventually leading to death. Patrollers work round the clock to record the movement of Cape fur seals in the harbour and check for any emergencies. Using their hands, rods and other tools that they’ve designed, an experienced group of specialists have disentangled more than 1 000 seals. 

The Waterfront is a hub for traders, shoppers, and tourists, and these conservation efforts transform the urban habitat into a space where both humans and wildlife can coexist. Supporting Cape fur seals to remain curious and carefree, this rescue team ensures the only entanglement they get into is a safety net. 

Footage and photos by Two Oceans Aquarium were used in the creation of this film.