Seal pups have been hunted for their jet black pelts and for the beautiful olive-grey coat which they acquire after moulting, for centuries. The adult's fur is too coarse to be suitable for use in the fur industry. South African fur seal numbers are on the increase and the present world population is estimated to be approximately 1,5 - 2 million. There are 25 known breeding localities along the South African and Namibian coasts, the largest of which is at Kleinzee near Port Nolloth. There are a further ten non-breeding colonies.
Seals prefer breeding on rocky ground but do sometimes use flat, sandy beaches.
During the breeding season males are fiercely territorial and will fight viciously to defend their chosen territories from other males. Females give birth to a single pup between mid- November and late December. A carnivore, the seal has a varied diet which includes pilchards, anchovies, horse mackerel, hake, snoek, squid, and the occasional rock lobster. Seals have few natural predators, among them sharks and killer whales. On land seal pups are vulnerable to blackbacked jackals and brown hyenas, to which they occasionally fall prey.