From: sasealion@wam.co.za
Date: November 12, 2006
A suspected clubbed seal arrives blinded and confused
Eleanor Momberg of the Sunday Independent reports,
"Seals Fleeing Namibian Cull Wash up on SA Coast"
http://www.sundayindependent.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3532518.
As
the 2006, Namibian Seal Clubbing season draws to a close on
November 15 involving over 75% of the seal species, Seal
Alert-SA is still left dealing with the after-shock.
Physical damage to these seals that will go on long after.
Over
600 000 seals are affected physically by this slaughter,
with 85 000 babies being clubbed, and tens of thousands of
seals of all age groups fleeing for their lives away from
their natal birth colonies. Many will now die and suffer as
a result of man's intrusion into their wildlife.
One
such lucky rescued seal, from thousands that disappeared
without trace. Tell us all a story, why we must please
ensure that clubbing them stops. It can honestly, in a
civilised world go on, no longer. Sealing in Namibia must
end.
Last Saturday, I received a frantic call from a member of
the public. "There is a baby seal falling all over the
rocks". Unable to physically respond as I was already
dealing with a baby pup rescued minutes earlier, I asked if
they would be prepared to risk getting bitten and attempt
to transport him to Hout Bay, 20 minutes drive away.
Expecting a baby weanling aged 10 months, the clear
majority of starving pups stranding, I was a little shocked
to receive a 2 to 3 year seal as I opened the boot of the
car.
Eyes
closed, totally confused and utterly helpless this "hated
fish eating seal", although completely wild, posed no
threat of attack or biting, but just simply pleaded for
someone to take careful care of him during his hour of
need. Like a new-born baby I pick him up and when I put him
down, tucked in, in complete trust.
Upon examination I could discern nothing physical wrong. He
was in good health, although shivering cold, empty stomach
and apparently completely blind. Donna, a reporter from
Namibia has indicated that fishermen in Namibia are known
to throw somesort of powder at the seals at sea, which
causes them to go blind. Although I suspect this victim,
was as a direct result of the wild clubbing currently
taking place in Namibia. I further suspected since being
clubbed 1600 km away, this seal fled into the icy seas and
drifted blindly for days or weeks, which probably helped
reduce his swelling, although there appears to be a
slight bump above his forehead. What he must have gone
through, blinded and confused, only he will know - and tens
of thousands like him.
Seeking not refuge on rock, island or amongst his own kind,
he chose the protection of man, his clubbers.
Immediately I was at a loss with what to do with him. He
needed the sea, but could not be placed on my raft as he
had no control over his movement. I decided to take him
home. He was like jelly in my hands. Is this the type of
marine creature we walk up to and club? Is this termed a
fair hunt and chase, or is this just sick?
For the
next few hours I pried open his jaws and inserted pilchards
one by one into his mouth. He was exhausted and I needed to
prop him up as I feed him. For the next three days this
continued, not a sign of physical active life. Although he
urinated, his did no stools indicating his stomach and
intestines were completely empty. Slowly he recovered and
could stand on all four flippers, unaided. Tons of love,
rubbing and massaging, has developed a deep trusting bond.
Whilst initially bumping into everything, even the wall. He
now appeared to guide his way by my scent and voice.
I rigged up an
observation pool, where he now spends almost the entire
day. He is now eating close to 8kg of pilchards a day.
Although I have only known him a few days, and he is as
wild as can be, there is this incredible bond of trust and
togetherness from both sides. He is recovering and
improving, and I am hopeful that he will regain his sight.
As he regains his senses, he is becoming more alert, and as
he does so, he feels more vulnerable. Even the wind in the
trees frighten him, or a bird flying over head. In fear and
insecurity, he dashes into the kitchen and lays down by my
feet. Where-ever I move, he moves.
Whilst I
shared this past week with this wild seal. The thought just
keeps repeating, do we have the right to club 85 000 of
them every year? Once knowing these highly intelligent
creatures, clubbing them is akin to raping a human baby.
People who support or do this, crime against nature must be
stopped.
In a few
days, I hope to try and introduce him to the raft, the sea,
and the other seals, and hope, he has sufficient senses of
smell and sound, to carve out a new place for himself, in
our world. In a world in amongst all this madness, that
offers these seals a little hope and protection. This world
of boats, wetsuits, jetski's, vehicles and rafts you have
all helped create.
Lets end this Namibian
Sealing together, before the season starts again in July
2007.
For the Seals
Francois Hugo Seal Alert-SA
PS - These websites all contain a little more info.
http://www.sealalertsa.net/namibia_2006.htm
http:// www.actionagainstpoisoning.com/page2/page154.html also
http://www.canadianvoiceforanimals.org/ and
www.seashepherd.org
