South Africa investigates seal deaths along Cape coast

The carcass of a dead Cape fur seal lies on a beach as offficials investigate an alarming spike in seal deaths, in Cape Town, South Africa, November 7, 2021. Picture taken November 7 2021. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South African officials are investigating an alarming rise in seal deaths along the west coast near Cape Town, with malnutrition one potential cause.

A Reuters photographer saw scores of seal carcasses on beaches in Cape Town and along the rugged Atlantic Ocean coastline north of the city last week. Several more dead seals were floating in the water.