Saving seals: join us for an evening all about rescuing cape town's seals on 25 november 2021

21 November, 2021 - Blog

Saving seals that have become entangled in plastic waste - box bands, fishing gut, cords, etc. - isn't easy, but there's a community of passionate people around Cape Town's harbour who are driven to action when the need to rescue a seal arises. The Two Oceans Aquarium invites you to join us for a special evening on 25 November 2021, where we'll meet the people working to save seals - dive into the history and future of seal disentanglements in the V&A Waterfront and beyond.

Spaces are limited, book your place here.

Intended to be informative, fun and factual, while sharing an important message, the evening will feature short presentations from people that are deeply entrenched in Cape fur seal welfare work:

Vincent Calder - the retired Two Oceans Aquarium staff member whose creativity and empathy literally invented the seal disentanglement methods used today.
Two Oceans Aquarium Interactive Exhibit & Marine Wildlife Specialist Claire Taylor who regularly dives into the waters of the V&A Waterfront to rescue seals in distress.
Brett Glasby of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, who is the coordinator of the Marine Wildlife Management Programme at the V&A Waterfront.
Dr Tess Gridley, the Principal Scientist & Operations Manager of SeaSearch and all-round marine mammal expert.
Steve Benjamin of Animal Ocean Seal Snorkelling whose passion for these magnificent animals inspired him to create the short film Saving Seals which will be screened on the evening.

Saving Seals

Saving Seals is a short film made by local wildlife photographer and conservation ambassador Steve Benjamin of Animal Ocean Seal Snorkeling. It focuses on the breakthrough work being done by the Two Oceans Aquarium, the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, V&A Waterfront's Marine Wildlife Management Programme, the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries & Environment, and international collaborators to develop a protocol to safely tranquilise distressed seals so that they can be helped. Saving Seals explores the history of the seal disentanglement programme at the V&A Waterfront, and the desperate need for this new technology, which is enabling those seals that cannot be helped through other means to finally be reached and disentangled.

Brett, Claire, Steve, Tess and Vincent will be taking your seal-related questions in an open Q&A panel at the end of the evening, so feel free to chat to them about your burning questions, or simply enjoy their fascinating stories over a snack and a drink! Proceeds from the evening will support the conservation and welfare work of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation.

Event details:

Date: 25 November 2021
Time: 18h30 for 19h00
Location: Avenue at the Two Oceans Aquarium
Cost: R250 per person (includes presentations, screening and snacks)
- Active members enjoy 25% off! Please email us on members@aquarium.co.za to get set up on our new self-service members' portal.
- Please note: Topics covered involve animals in distress and technical language. We do not recommend this event for under-13s.
Booking:Secure your ticket online here