Species Information

The Cape fur seal, now officially called the South African Fur Seal, is a marine mammal equally at home on land or in the sea. The adult male seal is just over 2 m long and has a mass of 200 - 300 kg. Females are much smaller at 1,5 m and weigh between 50 and 75 kg. The South African fur seal's range is restricted to islands and the mainland coast between the rich fishing grounds of northern Namibia and Algoa Bay on the south-eastern coast of South Africa.

Fur seals are so-named for their thick pelt, unlike true seals which have only a thin covering of hair. For centuries seal pups have been hunted for their jet black pelts and for the beautiful olive-grey coat which they acquire after moulting. The adult's fur is too coarse to be suitable for use in the fur industry.

South African fur seal numbers are on the increase and the present world population is estimated to be approximately 1,5 - 2 million. There are 25 known breeding localities along the South African and Namibian coasts.

Undoubtedly the greatest threat to seals is people. In fact, for the last 370 years seals have been ruthlessly hunted by humans. The alarming increase in plastic and other forms of pollution in the oceans kills thousands of seals and other marine animals each year when they are trapped or injured by plastic strapping, discarded nets and nylon fishing line.

Commercial killing of South African fur seals has continued in some form since the early 1600s and more than 2.7 million South African fur seals have been killed since 1900, mostly in Namibia. In the 1980s the demand for the bulls' genitals by the Far Eastern aphrodisiac trade meant that only the genitals of many of the killed seals were taken. An unknown, but relatively small, number of fur seals are victims of marine pollution.

There is an annual commercial hunt of fur seals in Namibia. The hunt in South Africa has been suspended since 1990 pending further research. Fur seals in South Africa have been protected since 1973 by the Sea Birds and Seal Protection Act which affords complete protection but allows the government to grant permits to kill fur seals at specific colonies.

Seals pose a threat to some coastal bird species such as jackass penguin and bank cormorants which are both Red Data Book threatened species - found only off the southern African coastline - and Cape gannets.

The seals' main food is fish and seals are the only animal that competes with the fishing industry. Most fishermen hate seals, which they regard as robbing them of their livelihood, therefore many seals are shot illegally each year from fishing boats.

Breeding sites tend to be on small rocky inshore islands, but are also found on the mainland in rocky areas and on sandy beaches. Adult males arrive at the breeding sites in mid-October to early November and fight for territory before the females come ashore. The territories of the successful males eventually contain an average of 7-30 females and are maintained for about 6 weeks.

South African fur seals may live up to 25 years of age.

Information source: South African Fur Seal, and Cape Fur Seal