Aardvark (African Ant Bear) washed up at Sunset Beach

Original Post: Cape Town photographers Alex and Juanita Aitkenhead captured a female African Ant Bear (Aardvark) washed up at Sunset Beach, Milnerton, on Friday at around 6pm.

The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds has removed the animal and handed it over to wildlife services for evaluation.

Aardvark (African Ant Bear) washed up at Sunset Beach

The aardvark is a nocturnal mammal native to Africa. It is the only living species of the order Tubulidentata. A small population is found in the Western Cape’s Peninsula and along the Garden Route.

Aardvark (African Ant Bear) washed up at Sunset Beach

Sometimes referred to as the “Cape anteater”, these mammals have a long snout to sniff out food. They can weigh up to 80kg and pair only during the breeding season, after a gestation period of seven months.
The aardvark is born with conventional incisors and canines at the front of the jaw, which fall out and are not replaced. Adult aardvarks have only cheek teeth at the back of the jaw. They have large toes, each with a robust, shovel-like nail for digging and burrowing.

Aardvark (African Ant Bear) washed up at Sunset Beach

In terms of population, there are no definitive counts because of their nocturnal and secretive habits. However, due to their extensive range, they maintain sufficient numbers.
Still, it’s uncommon to see one washed up on the beach.

Alex commented: “We are convinced it was a trafficked animal that died and was tossed overboard, maybe one or two hours before we found her, as she was immaculate when discovered in the surf.” However, this is yet to be confirmed.

Credit Robyn Simpson from Cape Town Etc and Getaway Magazine

UPDATE: 14 January 2023 at 18:38

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has commented on the death of a female Aardvark that washed up at Sunset Beach, Milnerton, on Friday. Photographers, Alex and Juanita Aitkenhead discovered the body and suspect the involvement of animal trafficking.

An autopsy, conducted by attending wildlife veterinarian Doctor Luca Mendes, ruled out drowning as a cause of death.

The statement reads:

“The aardvark, an adult female, was in otherwise good condition, with no signs of external trauma that might have indicated how she came to be floating in the sea. Examining her heart, he noticed conditions that would indicate that she had suffered from heart failure and some fluid on the lungs would indicate shock lung; which is a state most often caused by suffocation (such as being kept in a box with no ventilation might induce).”

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA will continue to investigate this “mysterious event” and will be looking at camera footage and taking into account reports received from several eyewitnesses to help solve this case.

If you have any information, please contact the Cape of Good Hope SPCA at (021 ) 7004140 or email wildlife1@spca-ct.co.za.

The conclusion is that the aardvark was already dead by the time it went into the water, either having been dumped overboard a ship close to shore or was somehow put into the sea from land.

Aardvark (African Ant Bear) washed up at Sunset Beach

More information about the Aardvark (African Ant Bear)

Latin Name Orycteropus afer
Conservation Status Least Concern
Location Africa
Colour Yellowish/Grey/Brown
Length 1.6 m (5.25 ft)
Tail 55 cms (22 inches)
Weight 38 – 64 Kgs (84 – 140 lbs)
Life Expectancy
Up to 10 Yrs

Main Characteristics

Aardvarks are medium sized mammals reaching approximately 1.6 m (5.25 ft) in length. They have a tail length of 55 cms (22 inches) and they weigh between 38 and 64 kgs (84 – 140 lbs).

Their fur is sparse and bristly and they are grey/brown in colour with yellow and white tinges to their coat. They have a distinctive curved back, powerful limbs and large, shovel-like claws.

They have very large ears and a long snout with a small, tubular mouth. Their tongue is long and sticky and their nostrils are protected by hair to prevent dust from entering them when they are digging.

Aardvarks have poor eyesight but excellent hearing and a good sense of smell, which helps them to locate prey. Adult Aardvarks only have molar teeth, their incisors and canines fall out when they are young and are not re-grown.

Aardvark (African Ant Bear) washed up at Sunset Beach

Habitat

Aardvarks are found in Africa, south of the Sahara desert. They inhabit grasslands, woodlands, savannahs and bush and they dig burrows for themselves which can be up to 10 m (33 ft) in length. They will have several burrows within their home range for refuge and one main one which is used for breeding. They will change they layout of their main burrow regularly and every so often they will dig a new one.

Aardvarks are solitary animals and they are active at night. They have a home range between 2 and 5 kms (0.75 – 2 miles)

Aardvark (African Ant Bear) washed up at Sunset Beach

Diet

Aardvarks feed upon ants and termites. They break into nests or mounds using their front feet and eat the insects using their long, sticky tongue. They have been known to eat up to 50,000 insects in one night.

Breeding

After a gestation period of 243 days, Aardvarks give birth to one cub. At birth the cub will weigh approximately 1.7 Kgs (3.75 lbs). After 2 weeks the cub is able to leave the burrow with its mother and after 14 weeks it is able to eat ants.

When the young Aardvark reaches 16 weeks old it will be weaned and at 6 months old they are able to dig their own burrow. They will stay close to their mother until the next mating season and they are sexually mature when they reach 2 years of age.

Predators

The main predators of Aardvarks are lions, leopards, pythons, hyenas and humans.

Subspecies

Subspecies of the Aardvark include:

Orycteropus afer adametzi
Orycteropus afer aethiopicus
Orycteropus afer afer
Orycteropus afer angolensis
Orycteropus afer erikssoni
Orycteropus afer faradjius
Orycteropus afer haussanus
Orycteropus afer kordofanicus
Orycteropus afer lademanni
Orycteropus afer leptodon
Orycteropus afer matschiei
Orycteropus afer observandus
Orycteropus afer ruvanensis
Orycteropus afer senegalensis
Orycteropus afer somalicus
Orycteropus afer wardi
Orycteropus afer wertheri