Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews accepts donation of seal stretchers
In a significant move towards enhancing marine life conservation, the City of Cape Town's Deputy Mayor and Mayco Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews, visited Sealand in Hout Bay to accept a generous donation of 10 specially designed seal stretchers.
This initiative promises to improve the handling of large dead seal carcasses along the city's picturesque coastline while also extending rescue efforts to other stranded marine creatures.
“This is the first time we will be issuing seal stretchers to various teams to assist with carcass removal from our beaches,” said Andrews during the donation ceremony.
“We are very grateful for the support of Sealand in providing these very strong seal stretchers.”
With the stunning Cape Town coastline frequented by thousands of seals, especially those from the two primary colonies at Duiker Island and Seal Island, the challenge of carcass disposal becomes particularly pronounced after the pupping season.
Thousands of seals wash up dead each year, necessitating swift action from city staff. The newly acquired stretchers will enable the teams to remove these carcasses more safely and efficiently.
“Seals frequent our entire coastline and are continually moving through the area. A few thousand seals wash up dead each year, particularly after the pupping season. During this time, the City has to remove many carcasses. The donation of these stretchers will help staff in this critical task,” shared Alderman Andrews.
In addition to aiding with the removal of seal carcasses, these stretchers will also be instrumental in rescuing stranded marine mammals such as dolphins and even pygmy sperm whales. With the seal population at Duiker Island estimated to be between 7,000 and 8,000 and approximately 20,000 at Seal Island, the need for efficient and effective marine life management has never been more crucial.
The City of Cape Town remains committed to fostering a safe and sustainable environment for its wildlife, and with the introduction of these seal stretchers, the goal of seamless marine life rescue operations is now more attainable.
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