Since 2021, the seasearchresearch team has been investigating unusual Cape fur seal deaths along the South African and Namibian coasts. In 2022, unexplained aggression in the seals raised further alarm. Then, in June 2024, they made a critical discovery: rabies was confirmed in Cape fur seals. To date, 61 cases have been recorded, with one in five washed-up carcasses testing positive. This is the first recorded rabies outbreak in marine mammals worldwide, posing serious risks to both ocean conservation and public safety. The virus could also spread to remote Southern Ocean colonies, home to already vulnerable species. The outoftheblue.documentary sheds light on this emerging crisis, but urgent questions remain. How does rabies spread in an aquatic species? How many seals are truly affected? And how can infection be identified through seal behavior? So far, the Sea Search Research team has been working with minimal funding, driven by an unwavering commitment to marine conservation. ...