Cape Town - The City of Cape Town’s coastal management team has cautioned beach-goers to refrain from handling and cuddling wildlife.
The gentle censure came in the form of signage installed at the Dalebrook tidal pool, situated between St James beach and Kalk Bay, at the weekend after the branch said it became aware of posts circulating on social media platforms showing visitors cuddling and handling a Cape clawless otter at the tidal pool.
Cape Town deputy mayor and spatial planning and environment Mayco member Eddie Andrews said: “We were disturbed to see these posts showing multiple bathers holding and cuddling a Cape clawless otter at the Dalebrook tidal pool. The posts surfaced on social media platforms on Sunday, October 30, 2022.
“I want to remind all visitors to our coastline and coastal amenities that the habituation of wildlife is illegal, and that this always leads to a tragic outcome where somebody gets hurt and the animal is often euthanised. This is a situation we want to avoid at all costs,” Andrews said.
The signage posted alongside the popular beach cautions visitors to keep a respectful distance from marine wildlife at all times as habituating animals holds dire consequences and places both the public and animals at risk.
“Cape clawless otters may look cute, but they are predators and are unpredictable, like all wild animals. Habituating these animals will lead to injury. Bites from otters and other wild coastal animals such as seals can cause severe sepsis.
“We would like to remind the general public that the City’s coastal by-law requires that the public keep a safe and respectful distance from marine and coastal wildlife at all times and to remove their pets from areas where they encounter any wildlife,” he said.
Andrews said the City’s coastal by-law also makes provision for the City to act against those who intentionally or negligently interfere with any marine and coastal wildlife.
“In case of any injured, hurt or coastal wildlife in distress, kindly contact the City on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline. The appropriate response will be initiated to assist the animal. Members of the public are urged not to act on their own and without authority.”