HESSEQUA NEWS - Always remember when dealing with any marine animal stranding that it is illegal to remove or help a stranded animal without proper training. That is why there is an organisation like SMART. Their volunteers undergo training in how to correctly handle the stranded animals and they work under the authority of DEA (Dept Environmental Affairs).
Many people think that the right thing to do is to put the animal back into the ocean when they find it washed up on the beach.
Never approach a sea lion, seal, penguin or seagull. Mostly they are hurt and that is why they are on the beach. They give a nasty bite and seagulls aim for the eyes. Penguins have very sensitive ears and become even more anxious when surrounded by a lot of noise and movement. Turtles, penguins, sea lions and seals do not belong on a beach. They are there for a reason and that is because they are either hurt or sick, treat them as such.
Here is what you should and shouldn't do
PENGUINS AND OTHER SEABIRDS
Carol at Saprec: 082 364 3382
- Take a photo of the bird without trying to get too close.
- Phone Carol at Saprec (Seabird and penguin rehabilitation centre) immediately.
- Do not touch, poke or stroke it.
- Keep dogs, other people and children, away from the penguin or bird. They are sensitive to noise especially high pitched.
- Do not try to catch it.
- Penguins can not fly, don't throw it into the air to try and make it.
- Keep an eye on the bird, follow directions from Saprec or wait until help arrives.
TURTLES
Tersia at SMART: 072 227 4715
- Never put a turtle back into the water.
- Do not touch, poke or stroke it unnecessarily.
- Take a photo with something next to the turtle for scale. SMART. needs to be able to see how big the turtle is in order to bring the correct size crate.
- Phone Tersia immediately and send the photo.
- Keep it dry and keep dogs and other people away from it.
- If you are able to pick it up you can wrap it in a towel to comfort it.
- They mostly wash up because they have some kind of plastic in their system and can't dive for food or they are sick or hurt. They are also taken to a vet to be checked out and rehabilitated.
SEA LIONS, SEALS, WHALES
Tersia at SMART: 072 227 4715
- Do not approach sea lions or seals, they bite.
- Without putting yourself in danger, keep it from going back into the water.
- Don't put a seal or sea lion back into the water. They are taken to a vet to get checked out.
- A whale or dolphin can be kept wet.
- Take a photo and send it to Tersia from SMART.
- Follow directions from Tersia.
- Keep dogs away and children for their own safety.
- If you can, stay with the animal until help has arrived.
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