The Cape of Good Hope SPCA obtained an urgent court order from the Wynberg Magistrate's Court to remove five seals that were allegedly subjected to abuse and exploitation at the Hout Bay Harbour.
The SPCA says the seals suffered beatings, overfeeding and being forced to engage in various physical interactions with humans for entertainment and financial gain.
SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said the organisation had been trying for months to get the perpetrators, a group of seal "handlers", to stop abusing the animals.