Unknown / Black Swan

The unexpected emergence of rabies in Cape Fur Seals represents a significant ecological anomaly with potential cascading impacts on marine ecosystems and public health. Rabies is a highly infectious and deadly virus that, if spread among marine mammals, could disrupt local biodiversity and potentially jump to other species, including humans, through direct or indirect contact. This situation is compounded by the challenges of monitoring and controlling disease spread in marine environments, which are less accessible and harder to manage than terrestrial settings. The potential for this event to trigger broader ecological imbalances and public health concerns elevates its risk profile to a high level.