Rescuing Namibia’s Seals with Naude Dreyer

In this episode, we are joined by Naude Dreyer, co-founder of Ocean Conservation Namibia, whose high-stakes seal rescues have captured global attention. From Namibia’s Walvis Bay, Naude and his small team are fighting the rising tide of ocean plastic and ghost fishing gear—threats that silently strangle thousands of marine animals each year.

But there’s a new twist to the challenge: rabies is emerging in Southern Africa’s seal population, raising concerns for both animal and human health. Naude shares how they navigate this strange and little-understood development out in the field.

We also explore the extreme physical fitness and mental toughness required to carry out these rescues - sprinting across difficult terrain, handling panicked 300-pound animals, and staying calm in unpredictable, often dangerous conditions.

To learn more about Ocean Conservation Namibia, visit ocnamibia.org and follow their rescue work on Instagram @oceannamibia.