SANParks
The Garden Route National Park has appealed to residents in Knysna to stay clear of the Knysna Estuary where a sub-adult southern elephant seal came ashore.
SANParks said in a statement the seal, called Columbus, recently came ashore and was found partially covered in an oily substance which required immediate intervention.
Columbus was sprayed with a biodegradable soap solution, allowing it to soak, before rinsing him afterwards.
An appeal is made to give SANParks, South African Stranding Network, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and CapeNature, in consultation with the necessary experts, including vets and oiled wildlife specialists the space they need to support Columbus' process to recovery by not visiting and crowding the area.
Elephant seals are wild animals and are easily irritated and frightened by noise, dogs and close encounters with people.
