Around 100 seal pups were washed ashore between Sunrise Circle near Muizenberg and Strandfontein Beach, said spokesperson Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, with a further 300 pups stranded on Kommetjie’s beach.
“It is suspected that the phenomenon is associated with the breeding season of seals, very rough seas and strong wind conditions, according to a marine scientist”, said Solomons-Johannes.
He said seal pups were vulnerable during high winds and rough sea conditions and could find themselves in distress if they could not swim, resulting in them dying.
Members of the public were asked to be vigilant along the False Bay coastline because the mass stranding had resulted in an increase in shark activity.
Shark spotters had hoisted red flags along Muizenberg, Simonstown, St James and Fish Hoek beaches, said Solomons-Johannes. — Sapa