Aardvark washed ashore on the beach did not drown

On January 13, an aardvark washed up on Sunset Beach in Milnerton, South Africa.

The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds seized the animal and turned it over to wildlife services for inspection.
According to the Cape of Good Hope Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), aardvarks are uncommon in the Western Cape.

As shy, nocturnal animals, it would be a rare occurrence to witness one.

Unfortunately, the aardvark that washed up on Sunset Beach had perished.

The SPCA of Cape of Good Hope was notified, and an autopsy was performed to ascertain the cause of death.

The visiting wildlife veterinarian, Dr. Luca Mendes, was able to rule out drowning as the most likely cause of death.

Investigations indicate that the animal may have experienced heart failure.
The adult female aardvark had no visible signs of damage and was in good general health.

There was no evidence to indicate how she ended herself floating in the ocean.

When he examined her heart, he observed signs consistent with heart failure.

The presence of fluid on the lungs is indicative of shock lung, a condition typically caused by suffocation.

This can be caused by being confined in a box without ventilation.

The conclusion is that the aardvark was already dead when it fell into the water, having been either dropped overboard by a ship near the shore or thrown into the water from land.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA will continue to examine this baffling incident, checking camera footage and considering eyewitness accounts in an effort to solve this latest animal mystery.