New Fear Unlocked: Rabies-Infected Seals 

There’s been plenty of reason to ponder the dangers of the deep blue sea recently. 

Between the fatal tiger shark attack on North Shore charger Tamayo Perry, the near-fatal great white attack on freesurfer Kai Mckenzie, and the whale breach on the Craikes’ fishing vessel which saw ‘em both shipped off to the hozzy, there’s never been a better time to place both feet on board and have your Sunday session ruined by unshakable headnoise. 

But wait, there’s more. 

Nine Cape fur seals in South Africa have tested positive for the maddening virus Rabies, raising concerns for both human safety and the seal population. 

According to The Guardian: seal aggression has increased since late 2021, leading to several incidents where seals have bitten surfers. “Last month, a single seal bit several surfers in a matter of minutes and another seal swam ashore with horrific facial injuries that could only have been inflicted by a seriously aggressive animal. These attacks convinced authorities to euthanise four animals and send their bodies to be tested for rabies,” they wrote. 

Of the four, three returned pozzy Rabies tests. 

While no humans have been reported to have contracted Rabies via seal tooth, marine authorities have mandated seeking medical attention in the event of a negative encounter. Lifeguards and shark spotters have been instructed to close beaches if they observe an aggressive seal.

Scientists from the University of Pretoria are currently sequencing the virus to determine where and when rabies entered the seal population. 

“I was out surfing the other day when a seal popped up in the lineup to sun itself,” says Gregg Oelofse, head of coastal management for the Cape Town council. “Normally, surfers would enjoy the interaction, but now everyone was paddling away as fast as they could.”

Yikes.