Watch: A gentle giant on tour – SA's surprise visitor from the Southern Ocean

The Citizen

04-06-2025

Southern elephant seals are rarely seen on South African shores. Native to the remote Southern Ocean, these massive marine mammals – the largest of all seals – are usually found lounging on Sub-Antarctic islands. Yet, since November 2023, a sub-adult male nicknamed Columbo has been quietly making history, visiting one Garden Route destination after another.
In the process, he has become a beloved, if unlikely, coastal celebrity. Columbo is one of a few southern elephant seals that regularly visit the Cape's beaches.
The appearance of Columbo is more than a novelty; it provides a valuable opportunity to educate the public on how to coexist respectfully with wildlife.
Each sighting of Columbo has sparked excitement among residents and marine conservationists alike, not just because of his species, but due to the unique journey he's embarked upon.
Val Marsh from Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (Smart) posted on Facebook yesterday that Columbo first arrived in Dana Bay in November 2023, where he settled for a three-week moulting period – an essential but vulnerable phase in a seal's life. Since then, he's been spotted in Pinnacle Point, Victoria Bay, Herolds Bay, the Kaaimans River, Knysna, and as far west as Jongensfontein near Stilbaai.
Yesterday, Columbo was spotted in Victoria Bay and the Smart team was on hand to monitor him.
In May 2024, Columbo turned up in the Knysna Estuary – not just for a visit, but in need of help. South African National Parks reported that he was partially covered in creosote, a chemical contaminant, prompting an immediate cleaning intervention. Conservation workers gently sprayed him with biodegradable soap, allowed it to soak in, and carefully rinsed him off.
Watch: Columbo in Kynsna in May 2024. Video: Del-Monte Roberts/Facebook
In January, Columbo was found resting near Jongensfontein. Smart took the opportunity to administer a rabies vaccination. This was no ordinary jab as Columbo became one of the few southern elephant seals globally to receive the vaccine, as a precautionary measure due to the growing incidence of rabies among Cape fur seals, with which elephant seals can interact.
The vaccination was administered by Dr Anthony Creighton and Sister Stefanie de Graaff of Hartenbos Animal Hospital, marking their first time vaccinating such a large and powerful marine mammal.
Watch: Columbo in January when he was vaccinated. Video: Hartenbos Animal Hospital/Facebook
Southern elephant seals are dangerous animals, and because of their size, it can be difficult to work with them, the Hartenbos team explained. After a difficult five-hour journey and plenty of community help, including getting their vehicle unstuck from sand twice, the team was able to vaccinate Columbo successfully.
Watch: Columbo in Kynsna in May 2024. Video: South African National Stranding Network/Facebook
Columbo's movements have continued to capture attention. In April 2024, he was seen lounging in Herolds Bay and later back on the rocks at Victoria Bay, appearing well-fed and now carrying a few battle scars – signs of the wild life he leads. By May, he had returned to Knysna, his likely 'haul-out' spot, where seals stay on land during their moult. Ocean Odyssey Knysna noted that moulting seals are protected from the cold not by fur, but by thick layers of blubber, making dry, undisturbed haul-outs critical for their survival.
'If only he could talk,' Marsh mused. 'He could write an extraordinary travelogue!'
Buffel in Hermanus
In February last year, Caxton Network News wrote about Buffel, another southern elephant seal.
At the time, Buffel had decided to go ashore in Hermanus for his annual moult.
Buffel has been seen around many of the Cape's beaches over the past few years and is identifiable by a scar above his left eye and a flipper tag (#16577).
According to an article published on the Cape of Good Hope SPCA's website, it's rumoured that Buffel was born on Cape shores to a displaced mother.
The SPCA says Buffel has come ashore to moult on Cape Town beaches, from Llandudno to Fish Hoek, for several years.
'Most haul-out sites are on Sub-Antarctic and Antarctic islands, which makes sightings of Buffel even more exciting.'
While both seals remind us of the unpredictable nature of ocean life, they also highlight how closely tied we are to these rare visitors. Every sighting is not just a spectacle – it's a call to respect and protect the delicate balance of marine ecosystems, especially as human impact on coastal environments continues to grow.
For now, Columbo continues his solo coastal odyssey – big, blubbery and blissfully unbothered. Long may he wander.
Gordy goes around the block
Another elephant seal, Gordy, has also been causing quite a stir lately.
After being rescued from Gordon's Bay, Gordy turned heads again at Simon's Town naval base – and Mzansi can't get enough of his land-loving antics.
The elephant seal that gave Gordon's Bay its 'seal of approval' after shuffling through a suburban part of the harbour town was safely returned to the ocean, but two days later arrived at the naval base in Simon's Town.
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