Entanglement of Cape fur Seals in human debris

The Cape fur Seals are naturally inquisitive animals, and as such are vulnerable to entanglement of human debris that fails to biodegrade with time. As an entangled animals grows, debris cuts into the fur and skin causing horrific injuries. SAMPLA technical director, Stephan Swanson has been at the forefront of debris removal with the MCM’s top predator group for 18 years. Simultaneously, SAMPLA has been keeping incident records since 2005, enabling the incidence, and details of entanglements to be continuously monitored in the Mossel Bay area.

  • © A juvenile Cape fur seal entangled in a fisherman’s line rests upon Seal Island