🦭 Unusual Visitor on Our Beach – Elephant Seal Spotted!

🌊 Harbour Chat
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Residents may notice a large seal currently resting on the beach — this is most likely a Southern Elephant Seal, a rare but fascinating visitor to our coastline.

:ocean: What makes this special?

These seals are the largest seal species in the world :elephant:

Adult males can weigh up to 4,000 kg, although smaller individuals (like this one) are often young or female

They usually live in sub-Antarctic regions, so sightings here are uncommon and exciting

They come ashore to rest, moult, or recover, sometimes staying in one spot for days

:warning: Important: Please Keep Your Distance

Although they may look calm or even unwell, this is normal behaviour.

For everyone’s safety:

:prohibited: Do NOT approach or touch the animal

:dog: Keep dogs well away and on a leash

:camera_with_flash: Admire from a distance (at least 20–30 metres)

:red_exclamation_mark: Avoid making noise or trying to “help” it back into the water

:backhand_index_pointing_right: These animals can move surprisingly fast and may bite if they feel threatened.

:ring_buoy: When to report it

If the animal appears injured, entangled, or in distress, please contact:

NSRI (Sea Rescue)

CapeNature

Otherwise, the best thing we can do is leave it alone and let nature take its course.

Please keep us posted on its location if you spot it!

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:seal: WILDLIFE FACT CARD: SOUTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL

Scientific Name: Mirounga leonina

Nickname: The Gentle Giant of the Southern Oceans

Rarity (Local): :star::star::star::star:☆ (Uncommon but not unheard of)

:straight_ruler: SIZE & POWER

Length: Up to 6.5 metres (males)

Weight:

Males: up to 4,000 kg :flushed_face:

Females: around 400–900 kg

Biggest seal species on Earth

:ocean: EXTREME DIVERS

Dive depth: Over 1,500 metres (deeper than most submarines!)

Dive time: Up to 2 hours underwater :stopwatch:

Spend 90% of their lives at sea

:snowflake: BUILT FOR HARSH CONDITIONS

Thick layer of blubber keeps them warm in near-freezing water

Can slow their heart rate dramatically to conserve oxygen

Their bodies can withstand crushing pressure at depth

:elephant: WHY “ELEPHANT” SEAL?

Adult males develop a large trunk-like nose (proboscis)

Used to make loud roaring calls and dominate rivals

The one seen locally is likely a female or juvenile (no big trunk visible)

:fork_and_knife_with_plate: DIET

Mostly eat:

Fish :fish:

Squid :squid:

Hunt in deep, dark ocean zones where few predators go

:desert_island: BEACH BEHAVIOUR

Come ashore to:

Rest

Moult (shed skin and fur)

Breed (in colonies elsewhere)

Can stay on land for days or even weeks

:warning: TEMPERAMENT

Usually calm, BUT:

Extremely strong

Can move surprisingly fast on sand

Will bite if threatened

:brain: FUN FACTS

:zzz: They can take short naps while diving

:drop_of_blood: Their blood stores extra oxygen (like a natural scuba tank)

:globe_showing_europe_africa: They migrate thousands of kilometres across oceans

:police_car_light: LOCAL REMINDER

If you see one on the beach:

Keep 20–30m distance

Keep dogs away

Let it rest undisturbed

:light_bulb: Did you know?

Southern Elephant Seals are among the best divers of any mammal on Earth — even outperforming whales in some deep-dive categories!

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Just some information regarding our molting Elephant Seal:

Elephant seals come ashore to molt and wont feed during this period. We should see this guy or girl hanging around for the next month till the new fur is established.

Please follow the following rules.

Respect their space

Keep your distance – make sure that a minimum of 20 - 30m lies between you and the seal at all times.

Avoid interacting

Do not attempt to approach, feed, touch, or pour water over the seal, as this can cause unnecessary stress.

Minimise noise and movement:

Avoid making loud noises or sudden motions that could startle the seal.

SHBCW has been in contact with authorities who will be vaccinating this guy or girl against rabies to ensure that he or she can enjoy a long and healthy life for years to come.

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SHBCW is in contact with both Two Oceans Aquarium as well as Deon Kotze from DEFF regarding the our vagrant elephant seal. They would like to measure, tag and vaccinate him before he returns south to the arctic.

Could any sightings please be directed to Dewald Steyn 083 534 9690 so I can contact the relevant parties.

They have asked residents to not coax him back into the water. This is not a stranding but normal behaviour for a molting bull.

They need to be on land during what is termed a catastrophic molt. Being in the water risks the animal dying from cold exposure.

Please report and keep noise levels low not approaching within 20-30m.