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Species in News: Cape Fur Seals
Context: South African officials will trial vaccinations for Cape fur seals following these marine mammals’ first documented rabies outbreak.
- The disease has infected at least seven people, who have received prompt treatment for bites or scratches from rabid seals.
About Cape Fur Seals:
- Scientific Name: Arctocephalus pusillus.
- Common Names: Cape fur seal, South African seal, brown seal.
- Family: Eared seals (Otariidae).
- IUCN Status: Least Concern.
- Habitat: Southern African coastlines, from Algoa Bay (South Africa) to Cape Fria (Namibia).
- They are the largest among fur seals, with a colouration that varies from brown to grey or reddish hues.
- Diet: Small pelagic fish, and Other Prey (Benthic fish, squid, lobsters, prawns).
- Subspecies: A. p. pusillus (Southern African coast), and A. p. doriferus (Australian coast, smaller, feeds on squid).
- Semi-Aquatic Lifestyle: Spend time both at sea (hunting) and on land (resting, raising young, mating).
- Predators: Great White Sharks, Killer Whales, Black-backed Jackal, and Brown Hyenas.
- Human-Related Risks: Fishing gear, boats, hunting, plastic pollution and increased predation risk from domestic and feral dogs.
- Historical Protection: Protected in South Africa since 1893, commercial hunting ended in 1990.
- Conservation Efforts: Protected under the Sea Birds and Seals Protection Act (1973).