A Leopard Seal from Hout Bay, South Africa

Abstract

On 14 October 1969 a leopard seal Hydrurga leptonyx came ashore alive at Hout Bay, Cape Province (34�03'S, 18�21 'E), and was captured in a net for the local zoo. This animal died in captivity on 23 October, when it was found to be a female measuring 89� inches (2, 28 m) in head-body length (Fig. I). Leopard seals live in the pack ice around the antarctic continent during summer and autumn, but during winter regularly visit sub-antarctic islands.