Seal joins zoo population after strings of misfortune

“Five weeks later, he was found ashore some 400km away and had lost a third of his body weight.

A seal has joined the Pretoria National zoological garden (NZG).

Marketing director Nontsikelelo Mpulo said the seal was sent to the NZG on September 3.

He said eight months prior, the young cape fur seal, Captain-Z had been found with a damaged left eye and in extremely poor health.

“He only weighed 11kg. Cape fur seal pups should weigh approximately 20kg at this age.”

He said after he had recovered to 18.3kg, Captain-Z was released to a local seal colony in Algoa Bay in March 2022.

“Five weeks later, he was found ashore some 400km away and had lost a third of his body weight.

“He weighed only 13kg.”

He said after careful consideration, Bayworld determined that the seal should not be released again.

“Bayworld is a permitted and accredited oceanarium and rehabilitation facility with many years of experience in seal rehabilitation and release.”

Mpulo said with the assistance of The Bataleurs, a non-profit organisation, Captain-Z was flown to Pretoria.

“His is a tale of perseverance and good fortune.”

The seal has since been placed in an off-display area to allow him to settle in to his new environment until he is ready to join the rest of the zoo resident population of fur seals.

He now weighs 24.5kg and conservation staff report that he is doing well.

Captain-Z will not be on display to the public as yet as he is still skittish. He will first have to be introduced to the other seals one at a time.

Source: Pretroia Rekord