“If you see one acting aggressively or moving frenetically, that’s a sign to get out of the water.” Cape Town’s surfers and beachgoers have been adjusting to a new kind of threat this year: rabies among Cape fur seals. This unprecedented outbreak (the first ever recorded globally), which surfaced in 2024, has deeply impacted local wildlife and the tourism businesses around them.
Animal Ocean, a popular seal snorkelling operation owned by marine expert Steve Benjamin, was forced to adapt. For over a decade, Animal Ocean in Hout Bay offered close-up, playful interactions with seals at Duiker Island, but the virus made these excursions too dangerous. With a mix of practicality and sadness, Benjamin closed his renowned seal snorkelling business almost overnight, shifting to a safer, broader marine experience.
For Steve,…