Update: Aardvark washed up on shore did not drown
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA confirmed that the aardvark that washed up on a Cape Town beach did not die from drowning
An aardvark washed up on shore in Sunset Beach, Milnerton on Friday, 13 January.
The animal was taken away by the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds and given to wildlife services for inspection.
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Aardvark did not drown
The Cape of Good Hope Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said that aardvarks are a rarely seen animal in the Western Cape.
You would be very lucky to see one as they are mostly shy nocturnal animals.
The aardvark that washed up on Sunset Beach had unfortunately died.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA was notified, and an autopsy to determine the cause of death was done.
Doctor Luca Mendes, the attending wildlife veterinarian, was able to rule out drowning as the most likely cause of death.
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Investigations show that the mammal might have suffered from heart failure
The adult female aardvark was in good overall health and showed no visible symptoms of injury.
There was nothing that would have suggested how she ended up floating in the water.
When he looked at her heart, he saw symptoms that would suggest that she had heart failure.
Some fluid on the lungs would suggest shock lung, a condition most frequently brought on by suffocation.
This can be brought on by being kept in a box with no ventilation.
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Aardvark was dead by the time she entered the water
The conclusion is that the aardvark was already dead when it fell into the water, having either been dumped overboard by a ship close to shore or having been thrown into the sea from land.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA will continue to investigate this mysterious event, reviewing camera footage and considering eyewitness reports to help solve this latest wildlife mystery.
If you have any additional information about this case, please contact the Cape of Good Hope SPCA at 0217004140 or wildlife1@spca-ct.co.za.