Fur seal treated at uShaka after five fishhooks removed from mouth

A young South African fur seal is receiving treatment at uShaka Marine World in Durban, after five fishhooks had to be removed from his mouth.

The little fellow, nicknamed Captain Hook ,apparently developed a taste for the fishing bait used by fishermen at Amanzimtoti, south of Durban.

Veterinarian, Francois Lampen, says he is concerned as Captain Hook might require surgery to remove a fishing hook stuck in his throat.

“We were hoping that he’d be able to pass it. They’re seals, they get fish that have a lot of spines and things like that. So, they actually should be able to accommodate those things. We did follow up X rays this morning that showed us it’s still present. We suspect it’s just to the side of the throat. So, we would have to go in and surgically remove it,” says Lampen.