Study

Early post-release survival of stranded Cape fur seal pups at Black Rocks, Algoa Bay, South Africa

  • Published source details Hofmeyr G.J.G., du Toit M. & Kirkman S.P. (2011) Early post-release survival of stranded Cape fur seal pups at Black Rocks, Algoa Bay, South Africa. African Journal of Marine Science, 33, 463-468.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Rescue and release stranded or trapped marine and freshwater mammals

Action Link
Marine and Freshwater Mammal Conservation
  1. Rescue and release stranded or trapped marine and freshwater mammals

    A study in 2008–2009 on an island off the coast of South Africa (Hofmeyr et al. 2011) found that at least nine of 52 stranded Cape fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus pups that were rescued and released survived for at least three months. At least nine of 52 (17%) rescued and tagged seal pups were observed alive three months after release. The authors estimated a survival rate of 23% to account for the potential loss of tags. A total of 200 seal pups (aged several days to five weeks old) were stranded on the mainland after a severe storm and taken to rehabilitation facilities in December 2008. Thirty-one seal pups died in captivity and 169 pups were released back into the wild within 1–5 days at a seal colony on a nearby island. Fifty-two of the 169 released pups were fitted with tags that were appropriate for post-release monitoring. The release site was visited on five occasions in January–April 2009. Tagged seals were identified and observed from a vessel 1–5 m from the shore.

    (Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)

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