Cape Cross Seal Reserve, Nature reserve on Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Robbenreservat Kreuzkap is a nature reserve on the Skeleton Coast where thousands of Cape fur seals inhabit rocky bays and sandy beaches. The site spans several kilometers of Atlantic coastline and provides habitat for one of the region's largest seal colonies.
A stone cross erected in 1486 by Portuguese explorer Diego Cao marks this site as a historical anchor point along Africa's western coast. The monument recalls early European expeditions and their navigation of this harsh coastline.
The reserve functions as a research center for marine life studies, contributing to understanding seal behavior and population dynamics in southern Africa.
Visitors can observe the seal colony from an accessible walkway designed for different mobility levels. The best time to visit is during breeding season when the animals are more active and easier to watch.
During breeding season, dominant males can weigh over 300 kilograms and control groups of several females at once. This extreme size difference between males and females is one of the most striking features of this seal population.
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