Just two days after his unforgettable suburban stroll, Gordy the elephant seal has resurfaced in Simon’s Town… still big, still blubbery and still ridiculously adorable.

Western Cape, South Africa (29 May 2025) – Just two days after his surprise city stroll had South Africans glued to their screens, Gordy the elephant seal is back… and he’s safe, snoozing peacefully at the Naval Base in Simon’s Town.

Yes, that elephant seal.

The one who turned a sleepy Tuesday morning in Gordon’s Bay into a national moment of joy, curiosity and community connection.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has just confirmed the good news via social media: “ GORDY’S BACK – BUT HE’S SAFE! Our favourite blubbery visitor has hauled out again—this time at the Naval Base in Simon’s Town.”

They added that Gordy is currently in a secure location, far from roads and traffic, and “there’s no immediate risk to his well-being.”

City officials and SPCA Inspectors are on scene, keeping a close eye on him. But for now, Gordy’s just doing what elephant seals do best… lounging. Resting on land (or “hauling out,” as marine folk call it) is completely normal behaviour for these ocean giants, especially when they’re moulting or recovering from long swims.

The gentle giant made headlines earlier this week when he wandered nearly a kilometre inland through Gordon’s Bay, delighting locals and confusing motorists. Videos of him resting his head on a police car bonnet (and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA bonnet) while traffic stopped to accommodate him went viral. Some folks even questioned if the footage was real. (Spoiler alert: it very much was.)

Social media users were quick to name him. Some called him “Gordon” (for obvious reasons), others preferred “Gordy,” and local news guru Gugu Statu affectionately dubbed him “Chonky”… which, let’s be honest, suits him just as perfectly.

But behind the laughter and viral moments was something far more profound: a full-scale, coordinated rescue effort powered by compassion and teamwork.

From SPCA inspectors and marine biologists to the SAPS, traffic officers, Shark Spotters, and even Two Oceans Aquarium—teams moved quickly to ensure Gordy was safe. He was sedated, gently loaded into a game capture trailer, and returned to Koggel Bay, a quieter beach more suitable for a marine mammal of his size.

“It truly takes a village,” said SPCA’s Belinda Abraham. “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who stepped up – for their professionalism, their compassion, and their quick response to an animal in distress.”

This was the moment Gordy/Chonky made its way back home. pic.twitter.com/MipvAFmTAY

— Brent Lindeque (@BrentLindeque) May 27, 2025

And now, two days later, our slippery celebrity has reappeared… this time in a spot where he’s away from humans, stress and selfie-seekers.

We absolutely love this story but it isn’t just about a wayward elephant seal. It’s about what happens when a community comes together to show kindness, patience and care for something wild and unexpected. It’s about the kids in pyjamas who came running to see the seal. The neighbours who gave him space. The police officers who gently redirected traffic. The marine experts who worked behind the scenes. And the South Africans across the country who found joy in watching it all unfold.

It’s a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is a 600kg marine mammal with a sense of adventure to bring us together.

Welcome back, Gordy. Rest well big guy… we’ve got your back.

*Just before releasing Gordy on Tuesday, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA team tagged him so that they could monitor (and recognise him) if he visited us again.

Sources: Cape of Good Hope SPCA 

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The post From Suburb Sensation to Naval Base Nap: Gordy The Elephant Seal is Back!!! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

It took a village, and then some, to help an elephant seal find his way back to the sea, but what unfolded was nothing short of extraordinary.

Western Cape, South Africa (27 May 2025) – What started as an unbelievable early morning sighting has ended with a heartwarming display of unity, care and kindness. The elephant seal that captured South Africa’s attention by wandering the streets of Gordon’s Bay has officially been returned to the ocean… safe, sound and a little bit famous.

The massive southern elephant seal surprised locals when it made an unexpected appearance almost a kilometre inland from the ocean early on Tuesday morning. As residents blinked in disbelief, the marine visitor cruised down a quiet street, delighting onlookers and stopping traffic, both literally and on social media.

And while the seal appeared calm and unharmed during his curious detour, it was clear the situation posed risks.

That’s when the magic behind the scenes began.

A full-scale, compassionate rescue unfolded with lightning-speed coordination. Law Enforcement, Traffic Services, SAPS, Gordon’s Bay Security and Gordon’s Bay Medical Ambulance Services swiftly arrived to secure the area and redirect traffic, ensuring safety for both the seal and the humans keen to catch a glimpse of him.

From there, a small army of animal welfare heroes stepped in… including the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, City of Cape Town’s Coastal Management and Marine Unit, SANParks, Two Oceans Aquarium, Shark Spotters, and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). Together, they formed a dream team of professionals, volunteers, and marine experts, all dedicated to doing what was best for their unexpected guest.

The SPCA carefully monitored the seal’s welfare, calling in a wildlife vet to safely sedate him before the enormous (and delicate) task of loading him into a game capture trailer.

By late afternoon, the vet gave the all-clear and the sleepy seal was transported to Koggel Bay, a coastal spot better suited to his species, where his recovery from sedation was closely observed.

“It truly takes a village,” said SPCA’s Belinda Abraham. “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who stepped up today – for their professionalism, their compassion, and their quick response to an animal in distress.”

And that’s the real story here. Yes, the sight of an elephant seal lounging on a suburban street is something most of us will never forget… but even more unforgettable was the way so many people came together to help. It was the traffic cops and security teams rerouting cars. It was the neighbours who stood back, respected the animal and offered words of support. It was the marine biologists, vet teams, and rescuers who worked tirelessly for hours to ensure a safe outcome.

This wasn’t just a surreal wildlife encounter. It was a masterclass in kindness. A powerful reminder that when something strange and beautiful enters our lives, even briefly, we have a choice: to look away or to lean in with empathy and care.

For the residents of Gordon’s Bay (and all South Africans who followed the story online), today’s events won’t just be remembered for the size of the seal. They’ll be remembered for the size of the hearts that made sure he got home.

Sources: Cape of Good Hope SPCA 

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Elephant Seal Safely Returned to Ocean After Cape Town Suburb Stroll appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Locals in Gordon’s Bay were left wide-eyed and smiling as an unexpected guest waddled down their suburban street… a massive elephant seal on a surprise inland holiday.

Western Cape, South Africa (27 May 2025) – It’s not every day a sleepy seaside town wakes up to an elephant seal in the streets! Gordon’s Bay locals were overjoyed and united by a rare encounter early Tuesday morning when a massive southern elephant seal decided to wander through their neighbourhood, sparking awe, laughter and a flurry of online buzz.

Residents of this coastal town near Cape Town rubbed their eyes in disbelief at dawn when they spotted an elephant seal cruising down a residential road, almost a kilometre inland from the ocean. The gigantic marine mammal appeared around 6am and stunned locals quickly began filming the unusual encounter.

It was a bizarre and thrilling sight… after all, elephant seals are not indigenous to South African waters and are mostly found much further south, near Antarctica.

Traffic came to a standstill as the elephant seal took its neighbourhood tour and authorities even closed off Sir Lowry’s Pass Road to keep both residents and the animal safe. The gentle giant didn’t seem to mind the attention, at one point, the curious seal ambled up to a law enforcement vehicle with blue lights flashing and decided to plop its head on the car’s bonnet, as if making friends with local officials. The surreal sight had onlookers grinning and shaking their heads in amazement; it looked like a scene straight out of a movie. In fact, the scene was so incredible that some on social media initially suspected it had to be AI-generated. Of course, wildlife experts and local volunteers quickly assured everyone that this gigantic visitor was absolutely real, and very much enjoying its impromptu Cape Town adventure.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA dispatched inspectors as soon as reports came in about the unexpected visitor. By 8am, animal welfare officers were on-site, gently securing the area and formulating a plan to guide the seal back to safety. The SPCA even took to Facebook to update concerned followers, urging people to keep their distance and let the rescuers do their work.

“We’re 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,” the organisation advised in a statement.

Ensuring the animal stayed comfortable was top priority, the team wanted to avoid stressing the big seal while figuring out how to escort their hefty guest back to the ocean. As of Tuesday mid-morning, efforts to relocate the elephant seal were still underway, with officials committed to a happy ending for the marine drifter. They plan to transport or “shepherd” the seal to a suitable beach once it has rested enough, ensuring it can return to its natural habitat without harm.

Meanwhile, the community’s excitement is only growing! News of the roaming seal is spreading like wildfire through Gordon’s Bay, and a crowd of amazed residents (many still in pyjamas and slippers!) have gathered (at a respectful distance) to steal a glance at the extraordinary creature.

“We often see seals here, but not like this… it’s not an everyday occurrence. This was unusual. The seal was huge!” one astonished resident exclaimed, describing the scene that unfolded on her street.

Neighbours chatted with one another in delight and concern, marvelling at how this phenomenal encounter had brought everyone together before breakfast. Despite the early hour, the vibe was electric – parents lifted children onto their shoulders to see the gentle giant, friends called each other excitedly to say “Come quick, there’s an elephant seal outside!”, and many folks captured videos to share with those who couldn’t be there.

Online, South Africans far and wide are sharing in the joy. Social media timelines have lit up with heart emojis, seal puns and incredulous comments about the “seal on the loose”.

The consensus: this unexpected visitor was the dose of wonder and positivity everyone needed. Many praised the SPCA and local authorities for handling the situation with care and compassion, while others joked that the seal was simply on a sightseeing tour of Gordon’s Bay or looking for a comfy spot to sunbathe. The fact that some viewers initially doubted the footage was proof of just how surreal and magical the encounter appeared, a reminder that sometimes reality outshines even our wildest imagination.

Wildlife experts note that while elephant seal sightings in the Cape are rare, they’re not unheard of. In recent years, a few adventurous elephant seals have made similar pit stops along South Africa’s coast – famously, a massive seal nicknamed “Buffel” has periodically hauled out on Cape Town beaches for his moulting season, quickly becoming a local celebrity. These occurrences, though infrequent, are cherished by communities as a chance to see a remarkable animal up close and to learn about the rich marine life that occasionally graces our shores.

For Gordon’s Bay, this week’s seal visit will surely go down in town history as a bright, uplifting story told for years to come.

*Update: The elephant seal has been safely returned to the ocean after his Cape Town suburb stroll.

Sources: Cape of Good Hope SPCA | Times Live 

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African

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