Never, ever, touch a wild seal (they're mean), especially an injured one. Just ask Elsie van Tonder, who got her nose bit off:
A shocked Elsie van Tonder, who saw her mutilated nose for the first time on Tuesday, said she'd never again try and touch a wild animal.
A seal bit off the tip of her nose on Saturday when she tried to help the animal lying on the beach at Herold's Bay. The seal also bit her on the thigh.
"I've learnt from this that one should never try to touch such animals. Rather walk away. This is what happens when you try to help," Van Tonder said while pointing to the large wound to her leg and softly stroking the bandages over her nose.
She and about 15 other patients were transported at about 04:00 on Tuesday morning from George to various hospitals in Cape Town. The trip took about six hours.