ROB IN HOOD

GORDON’S Bay mense got a lekker surprise on Tuesday when a reuse elephant seal was spotted wandering the streets, nearly a kilometre from the shoreline.

Stunned mense first noticed the massive marine mammal around 6am and quickly began filming the unusual encounter.

Videos and photos online showed the visibly fatigued seal moving slowly along tarred roads, even propping its upper body on a parked vehicle before continuing to make its journey.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said the seal likely made its way inland during the early hours.

She says: “The seal had been busy since early morning. He was around the beach area and then moved inland. We often see seals here, but not like this, it’s not an everyday occurrence. This was unusual. The seal was huge!

“There were a lot of Gordon’s Bay residents at the scene because it was something phenomenal, especially at that time of the morning.”

Despite the growing crowd of onlookers, the animal appeared unbothered, calmly navigating the streets as residents looked on in amazement.body.

By 8am, officials from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA had arrived at Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, where the animal had settled in a residential area.

Efforts were immediately launched to ensure the seal’s safety and eventual relocation.

SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham confirmed that inspectors secured the area and made a safe, low-stress plan to return the seal to its natural habitat.

Abraham says: “This is a rather unexpected visitor. We’re actively working on a safe and stress-free plan to relocate this magnificent marine mammal. Please avoid the area to help us give the seal the space and calm it needs while we carry out the rescue. This is a developing situation, and we’ll keep the public updated.”

The City of Cape Town also spanned saam in the relocation effort.

Maxine Bezuidenhot of the City’s Traffic Service was on the scene to assist the SPCA.

She reported: “Officers are awaiting further guidance from the SPCA, but at this time, no roads are closed.

She revealed that plan was to transport the lost rob to the beachfront via trailer, so they did not anticipate road closures.

The animal was later safely returned to its marine environment at around 4pm.

It is not the first time a seal has wandered into a Kaapse suburb. In December 2022, a female seal was seen crossing the busy Jakes Gerwel Drive near Vangate Mall.