South African (Cape) fur seal
Classification:
Global Population
Description and Natural History
Physical DescriptionThe Cape, or South African, fur seal (A. p. pusillus) is one of two geographically distinct but weakly differentiated subspecies of Arctocephalus pusillus. The other is the Australian fur seal (A. p. doriferus) of southeastern Australia, Tasmania, and New South Wales.
The male Cape fur seal is the largest of the fur seals. It has an obvious forehead and relatively long, heavy muzzle which ends in a bulbous nose. Males reach 2.0 – 2.3 meters (6.6 – 7.5 feet) and weigh 200 – 360 kilograms (441 – 794 pounds). Females are 1.2 – 1.6 meters (3.9 – 5.2 feet) long and weigh 40 – 80 kilograms (88 – 176 pounds).
Adult males are dark gray or brown on the back and lighter on the belly, darkening with age. As with most male fur seals, they have an obvious mane around their neck that becomes lighter in color with age. Adult females are brownish-gray on the back, light brown on the belly, and paler on the muzzle, lower jaw and face. Pups are black at birth and turn grayish-fawn with a pale throat as they get older.
Natural History
The Cape fur seal is found along the coasts of South Africa and Namibia from Cape Cross, southward to the Cape Peninsula and eastward to Algoa Bay and Black Rocks, Cape Province, South Africa. Cape fur seals are not migratory but will move within their range. They are found in groups of about 15 animals and may be observed in large groups "rafting" close to rookeries.
Females reach sexual maturity at three to six years of age and males at four to five years, although they probably do not mate until they are nine to 12 years old. Pups are born from late October to early January. Peak "pupping" season occurs in the first week of December, with some variation between colonies. Pups are usually weaned at about 12 months of age, although some may be suckled a second year or even a third.
The Cape fur seal diet varies with season and availability and includes pelagic (open ocean) schooling fish such as maasbanker, pilchard, hake and Cape mackerel, as well as squid and cuttlefish.
The 1990 population estimate for the Cape fur seal population was about two million animals.
Status of the Species
StatusThe Cape fur seal is listed as Lower Risk by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). This species is also listed on Appendix II of the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Threats to the Species
Like all fur seals, the Cape fur seal was heavily exploited for its luxurious pelt. Commercial sealing began off southern Africa in the early 17th century and – by the late 1800s – 23 colonies had been destroyed and the population had been severely depleted. Sealing restrictions were introduced to southern Africa in 1893 although none were introduced along the coast of Namibia until 1922.
The South African government conducted the fur seal hunt until 1979 when it was turned over to private concessionaires. The South African commercial hunt was suspended by the government in 1990. In recent years, there have been calls to cull (reduce the size of the population, in this case by killing animals) fur seals to protect fish stocks, and culls have been carried out in order to protect breeding seabirds. In Namibia, sealing for pups and adult males continues annually. The Namibian government states that such a hunt is necessary to protect the interests of fisheries. Cape fur seals may also become entangled in fisher’s gear.
International Trade
Fur seal pelts and penises (sold as aphrodisiacs in traditional Asian medicine) are traded by Namibia. Trade is authorized under CITES Appendix II with the appropriate export permit or re-export certificate.
Authors and Sources
CITES. 2001. Cape fur seal. http://www.cites.org.IUCN. 2001. The 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://www.redlist.org.
Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood and M.A. Webber. 1993. Marine Mammals of the World. FAO Species Identification Guide. United Nations Environment Programme. Rome.
Leatherwood, S, B.S. Stewart and R.R. Reeves. 1992. The Sierra Club Handbook of Seals and Sirenians. Sierra Club Books, San Francisco. 359pp.
Rice, D.W. 1998. Marine mammals of the world: systematics and distirbution. Special Publication Number 4. The Society for Marine Mammalogy. 231pp.
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South African (Cape) fur seals. Photo © IFAW
