A Big Bay seal attack left a local surfer, Hjalmar Larsen (47), with multiple bite wounds. He was attacked while surfing at Bloubergstrand on Sunday morning. He was treated for deep injuries and given anti-rabies injections following the incident.
Larsen, who works in sales, said he had just paddled out. He was sitting about 50 metres from the lifeguard tower when the animal attacked in what locals are calling a Big Bay seal attack.
“There was a seal playing in the water about 50 metres away from me, further out, and it looked perfectly normal,” he said of the Big Bay seal attack. “At one stage it popped its head out of the water and gave me a dead stare. Then it dived down towards me.”
He said the water was slightly murky, so he could not see the animal approaching. Moments later, it surfaced beneath him and bit his leg during the relentless attack.
“I immediately knew it was a seal because of all the attacks that have been happening,” he said. “It kept on going at me, biting me repeatedly. I eventually managed to get my board between us, but it came back for me again.”
Larsen managed to paddle to shore and ran to the lifeguards. They rinsed and dressed his wounds before he drove himself to Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital. He sustained multiple bite wounds to his right hand, upper arm, and both legs. Additionally, he received anti-rabies injections as a precaution.
“The rabies shots are quite sore, they have to inject every single wound, even scrapes,” he said. “I have three more sessions to complete. The doctors told me it’s better to be safe than sorry, because rabies is fatal if untreated.”
When approached for comment, NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said he was aware of the Big Bay seal attack but had no further details.
“I believe it was handled by emergency services and that the Department of Environment was investigating,” he said. “We are not aware of any other recent incidents.”
Marine experts have previously cautioned that seals can become aggressive during breeding season. They have urged beachgoers to keep a safe distance.
“It was terrifying,” said Larsen. “You do not expect to be attacked like that in the water , I am just grateful I made it out alive.”
