The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation hosted a Seal Health Public Information Session

On 25 July 2025, Cape Town’s marine conservation challenges took centre stage at a public information session that brought locals, scientists, and city officials together. The discussion explored headline-making issues such as the recent rabies outbreaks affecting Cape fur seal populations and elephant seals blocking roads, shedding light on the complex relationship between our city and the marine wildlife that calls it home.

The speakers for the night, Gregg Oelofse (City of Cape Town), Dr Brett Gardner (University of Melbourne), and Yinhla Shihlomule (SAPRI), shared the latest scientific insights, addressed public concerns, and outlined strategies for navigating human-wildlife conflict. The session closed with a Q&A session, ensuring that the community left better informed about the challenges and responsibilities of living alongside Cape Town’s extraordinary marine life.