Elephant Seal Causes Traffic Jam in South African Town

In the coastal suburb of Gordon's Bay, near Cape Town, South Africa, residents experienced an extraordinary event. A massive elephant seal, estimated to weigh around two tons, unexpectedly strolled into town, causing a temporary traffic standstill. The young male, far from its sub-Antarctic habitat, calmly walked along the main street, even taking a rest on a police vehicle. "I couldn't believe my eyes!" exclaimed one witness, capturing the scene on their phone. The incident, filmed by several people, quickly spread across social media, prompting comments like, "How did it get here?" and "This is unreal!" The Cape Town SPCA, along with marine specialists and a municipal veterinarian, responded swiftly. Concerned about the seal's potential dehydration and exhaustion, they sedated it and transported it in a specialized trailer to a nearby bay. The SPCA shared a heartwarming video of the seal's release back into the ocean, concluding with the message, "Sea you later." This unusual incident serves as a reminder of the wonders and challenges of wildlife.