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New Seal for uShaka

New Seal for uShaka

Date: 2013-10-25
Word must be getting around among the local seal population about uShaka Sea Worlds outstanding rehabilitation facilities, with yet another seal arriving at the end of September.

This time it was a young male sub-Antarctic fur seal rescued by KZN Wildlife staff on a Port Edward beach, a long way from home off Marion Island, which lies 1920 Km's southeast of Cape Town. The little seal was underweight and had sustained injuries to its flipper and lower back, possibly as a result of an unsuccessful shark bite.

When he arrived the new seal was given intravenous fluids and his wounds were treated with topical antibiotics. For three days the seal's fate hung in the balance as he was dehydrated and weak. However, he soon turned the corner and has perked up considerably and gained about 5Kgs - largely due to eating everything up a storm. As he grew stronger and his chances of survival improved, he was given the name Minion because compared to his roommate, Selso and the Cape Fur Seals resident at uShaka Marine World, he was so tiny and ever so cute.

Minion is being fed pilchards, hake and cuttlefish to fatten him us and gelatin to boost fluid intake. Early blood tests results look very good.

Once both Minon and Selso have gained sufficient weight it is planned that they be released together on the Continental shelf off Port Elizabeth, which is their natural feeding ground. Selso currently weighs 163 Kg's but has to weigh at least 180 before he is deemed ready for release. Lets hold thumbs that he can put on 17 Kgs in the next two months. For enquiries call Ann Kunz at uShaka Marine World on 031-3288000.