Cape of Good Hope SPCA responds to oil spill in Hout Bay harbour

Posted by Taylah Strauss on 18 July 2022

The Cape of Good Hope Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty (SPCA) was called to a possible oil spill near a colony of Cape fur seals in Hout Bay harbour on 13 July.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s Wildlife Unit immediately responded to the scene and confirmed a diesel oil spill. The Spill Tech Team were already on-site and containing the spill.

It appeared that two young seals were affected, prompting the help of the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB).

‘Diesel oil can be extremely caustic to exposed skin and even though seals have thick fur, their eyes, flippers, noses and tails are exposed,’ said the Cape of Good Hope SPCA in a statement.

SANCCOB responded promptly and arrived on the scene with Savlon to help clean the seal yearlings. The seals are being kept in a pool of the Rescue Centre for recovery, where they will be monitored for signs of distress or contamination over the following days.

Investigations are being done into the origin of the spill.

Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA

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