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All South Africa Cape Town Seal Island

Seal Island

Haven for Cape Fur Seals, until the Ring of Death of jumping Great White Sharks arrives.

Cape Town, South Africa

Added By
Allison Meier
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About

Located in False Bay just off the coast of Cape Town, Seal Island is a small granite landform absolutely swarmed with Cape Fur Seals.

The piles of seals use the island as their main breeding ground and usually are left in peace. Humans have tried to inhabit the island, but failed, once as sealers in the early 20th century and later during World War II with an installation of a radar that was soon destroyed by the elements.

However, the Great White Sharks also love the little island and at certain times of the year create a circle around it known as the Ring of Death. Any seal that swims too far is attacked by the sharks that actually leap from the water with the seals in their teeth before crashing down into the waves.  

Related Tags

Sharks Animal Islands Islands Animals
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Wild South Africa

Marine wildlife and Kruger Safari

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Added By

Allison

Published

October 18, 2013

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Sources
  • http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/white_shark/predation_v1.htm
  • http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/11/1124_031124_flyingsharks.html
Seal Island
Cape Town, 7941
South Africa
-34.138147, 18.582727

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