Cape Town’s beaches have recently become temporary refuges for southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), marine giants more commonly found in the frigid waters of the Southern Ocean. These visitors, straying far from their usual habitats, are a rare but fascinating spectacle, highlighting both the adaptability of the species and the need for careful coexistence during their stay.

Southern elephant seals are not native to South Africa, with their primary breeding and resting grounds located on sub-Antarctic islands like Marion Island, over 2,000 kilometers away. Yet, each year, around ten of these seals are spotted along the South African coast, including in Cape Town. These sightings often coincide with their annual moulting period—a taxing month-long process during which the seals shed their outer skin and fur layers to maintain their ability to withstand icy depths.

Cape Town’s beaches, such as Fish Hoek, Dias Beach, and Duiker Island, occasionally host these vulnerable animals as they haul out to rest and fast, relying solely on their extensive blubber reserves.

Among the vagrant seals, Buffel stands out as a local celebrity. First tagged in Buffelsbaai in 2016, this male elephant seal, weighing over 1,200 kilograms and measuring around 4 meters, has made annual appearances on Cape Town beaches, including Llandudno and Hermanus. His regular visits suggest a rare behavior for the species, known as philopatry—a tendency to return to familiar locations.

Experts, including the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, believe Buffel may originally hail from Marion Island, a small uninhabited island in the southern Indian Ocean owned by South Africa, and which falls under the jurisdiction of the City of Cape Town. His consistent presence has come to be seen as an educational tool, emphasizing the importance of respecting wildlife. Barriers are often erected to ensure his safety and prevent disturbances during his moulting period.

Southern elephant seals are the largest seal species. Males can reach up to 7 meters in length and weigh as much as 5 tonnes, dwarfing females, who typically grow to 3 meters and weigh around 900 kilograms. Males are distinguished by their prominent proboscises, used to amplify roars in territorial disputes.

These seals are also remarkable divers, capable of descending over 2,000 meters and remaining submerged for up to two hours as they hunt squid and fish. Spending 85% of their lives at sea, they can traverse up to 33,800 kilometers annually—the longest migration of any mammal.

While not endangered, southern elephant seals are vital to marine ecosystems, regulating prey populations and enriching coastal habitats through nutrient recycling. Their sporadic visits to Cape Town provide an opportunity to educate the public on their ecological significance.

The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation advises beachgoers to maintain distance and minimize noise to avoid causing unnecessary stress during their moulting period. Such simple measures can ensure these remarkable animals complete their natural process undisturbed, offering a rare chance to witness their grandeur in peace.

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