Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
Coastal access
Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
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25 Jun 2021

Special visitor to South Coast beach receives VIP protection

Shona Aylward (South Coast Herald) Picture: The leopard seal.

Penguins which are stranded on KwaZulu-Natal beaches are certainly in trouble and need human intervention.  This is, however, not the case for seals which sometimes haul out on beaches throughout KZN.

Ann Kunz of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) said she received a message that a leopard seal was spotted on a lower South Coast beach.  Staff from SAAMBR went to assess the seal which appeared to be in good condition.  After consulting with international and local leopard seal experts, a decision was made to leave this very rare visitor undisturbed on the beach and allow him time to rest before returning home to the Antarctic.

Lower South Coast SPCA and security personnel from Wolf Security have been guarding the seal. It does return to the water from time to time and then either reappears at the same spot or some distance further north or south.

Wolf Security and the SPCA staff are currently keeping the seal safe.

Ms Kunz said that if you do come across this special visitor, please leave a minimum distance of 10 metres between yourself and the seal and call us as soon as you are able to and we will send a team to your location. This seal is capable of causing serious bodily harm to both humans and dogs.  Whilst you are waiting for the team to arrive (this should not take more than 15 mins) please make sure that your dogs do not disturb the seal and make no effort to chase it back into the water.  It needs to conserve every ounce of its vital energy for the long journey home.

You can contact 031 328 8222. This number is manned 24/7.

 

 

Online Article