Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team

23/12/2025

Special thanks to the incredible team at Hartenbos Dierehospitaal / Animal Hospital and Merry Christmas! Thank you for your dedication to helping and protecting marine animals. Your support makes everything we do possible. Wishing you all a joyful festive season and a wonderful new year.♥️🎄

Best wishes for a blessed festive season from Hartenbos Dierehospitaal / Animal Hospital 🎅

23/12/2025

Yesterday we had a very successful Awareness Day at Hartenbos Seefront! 🐢🐬🐋🦭

A huge thank you to our incredible volunteers who gave their time, energy, and passion to help educate the public about marine conservation and animal welfare. We truly couldn’t do this without you. 🙏🏻

We would also like to thank every member of the public who stopped to chat, asked questions, showed interest in our work, and supported us throughout the day. Your encouragement means more than you know. ♥️

Lastly, thank you for the generous donations received from the public. Your support helps us continue responding to marine animal emergencies and spreading awareness along our coastline. 👍🏻

21/12/2025

Today, we were alerted to an entangled Cape fur seal yearling at Hartenbos Beach.🦭 Our team responded quickly and found the young seal entangled in fishing line that had already started cutting into its body. Thanks to a fast and coordinated effort, we successfully freed the seal, preventing further injury and allowing it to return safely to the ocean.🌊

👏 A huge thank you to our SMARTies, Michael de Nobrega, Elzan Coetsee , and Carli Scheepers, for the professional and compassionate rescue, and a special shout-out to our junior SMARTie, Miguel de Nobrega, for capturing the rescue on video! 🎥⭐

🙏 Thank you to the concerned members of the public who alerted us.

⚠️ Please remember to dispose of fishing line and tackle responsibly, it truly saves lives.

If you see an animal in distress, report it immediately: 072 227 4715. Together, we can protect our marine wildlife. 💙

04/12/2025

Cape fur seal pups are still washing up along our coastline. Many of these little ones can still be saved, but only with the right help and responsible behaviour from the public. 🦭

✅ DO:

• Keep a safe distance. Give the pup space to breathe and rest.
• Contact the Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team immediately.
Provide location, condition, and a photo if possible.
• Keep dogs and children away from the animal.
• Stay calm and keep noise to a minimum.
• Wait for trained responders. We will assess, stabilise, and transport safely.

❌ DON’T:

• Do NOT touch, pick up, or move the pup.
• Do NOT push it back into the water.
• Do NOT give food or water.
• Do NOT crowd around the animal or try to “rescue” it yourself.
• Do NOT post the exact location publicly — this can attract crowds. Contact us directly.

🌊 Why your actions matter:

Cape fur seal pups are extremely vulnerable. The wrong action, even with good intentions, can cause fatal stress or injury. With your help, we can give each stranded pup the best possible chance at survival.

📞 Report Strandings Immediately

Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team
📱 072 227 4715

💙 Please share this post to help protect Mossel Bay’s marine wildlife.

Your awareness saves lives.

25/11/2025

Please share to all friends and groups!
The last raffle and Fund Raiser for S.M.A.R.T 2025!
(All info is on the photo.)
Competition close 30 November 2025

21/11/2025

Pup season is in full swing and today definitely kept us on our toes. We managed to rescue six Cape fur seal pups, and we’re happy to share that two have already been safely returned to Seal Island. 🦭

A huge thank you to all our incredible volunteers, the members of the public who reported and assisted, the amazing team at the Hartenbos Dierehospitaal / Animal Hospital, and Enrico Gennari and his team for taking the pups back to Seal Island. Your teamwork and dedication make all the difference. 🙏🏻

Together, we’re giving these little ones the best chance at survival. 💙

21/11/2025

At 13:39 today we received an alert about an entangled Cape fur seal in the Gouritz area. The team responded immediately, and by 14:50 the young yearling was safely rescued and freed from a piece of fishing net tightly snagged around its neck. 🦭

Fantastic teamwork by everyone involved! Swift action that made all the difference for this little seal’s future. 👏🏻

This rescue is also an important reminder of the ongoing impact of discarded fishing gear on our marine wildlife. Every report, every call, and every bit of awareness helps us protect these animals and keep our coastline safer. 💙

A special thank you to junior SMARTie & photographer Miguel for capturing this great photo and video of the rescue! 🎥

18/11/2025

A big thank you to the Health and Safety Department of Life Bayview Hospital for their generous donation of R2100, received last week.🙏🏻

They held a boerewors roll braai, took orders, and raised the funds on our behalf, all without us knowing! It was a complete and wonderful surprise.♥️

Your contribution comes at the perfect time, as the much-needed funds will go towards replacing our damaged teardrop banners.🥳

We are truly grateful for your support and for helping us continue the work we do. 🌊