A young male elephant seal, affectionately nicknamed “Gordy” by locals, has become an unlikely celebrity along the False Bay coastline after repeatedly making his way onto land—and even into traffic.
First spotted in Gordon’s Bay, the massive marine mammal was relocated by the City of Cape Town’s Coastal Management team to Kogel Bay, only to reappear just two days later in Simon’s Town, over 40 kilometers away. Experts say his behavior, while unusual for its boldness, is not unheard of for elephant seals.
A Social Seal with a Taste for City Life
Gordy, estimated to be 4 meters long and weighing around 1.2 tons, has shown a surprising preference for urban environments over beaches. After his initial relocation, he was found resting at the Simon’s Town Navy dockyard, where he remained for at least 24 hours.
“He seems to like the cityscapes as opposed to the beaches—we don’t know why,” said Arne Purves from the City’s Coastal Management team. Despite his size, Gordy appears healthy and has been assessed by wildlife veterinarians, who vaccinated him against rabies and fitted him with a tracking tag.
A Nine-Hour Rescue Operation
Gordy’s first major escapade occurred in Gordon’s Bay, where he hauled himself onto a road, even resting his head on a car. A multi-agency effort—including traffic services, the SPCA, Two Oceans Aquarium staff, and marine researchers—spent nine hours safely sedating and transporting him to Kogel Bay.
“It took about 10 to 15 strong individuals to lift him onto a trailer,” Purves said. Despite the sedation, Gordy swam back across False Bay within hours.
Public Urged to Keep Their Distance
While elephant seals are not inherently aggressive, Purves warned that they can become defensive if disturbed. “They don’t like to be harassed or fed, and people should keep their dogs away,” he said.
The public is encouraged to report sightings to the City of Cape Town’s emergency number (021 480 7700) or the SPCA.
For now, Gordy remains a fascinating—if unpredictable—visitor, proving that even in a bustling city, nature can still surprise us.