Buffel the elephant seal is back to moult, this time in Hermanus
While a southern elephant seal sighting is rare in South Africa, one keeps returning to Cape shores.
A southern elephant seal nicknamed Buffel has decided to go ashore for his annual moult in Hermanus this year.
Buffel has been seen around many of the Cape’s beaches over the past few years and is identifiable by a scar above his left eye and a flipper tag (#16577).
Southern elephant seal sightings are not only rare in South Africa, as they usually come from the Southern Ocean, but the species is also on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s list of threatened species.
According to an article published on the Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s website, it’s rumoured that Buffel was born on Cape shores to a displaced mother.
The SPCA says Buffel has come ashore to moult on Cape Town beaches, from Llandudno to Fish Hoek, for several years.
“Most haul-out sites are on Sub-Antarctic and Antarctic islands, which makes sightings of Buffel even more exciting.”
While Buffel may look a bit exhausted and thin, elephant seals do not hunt during a moult and he will be relying on his blubber reserves to sustain him for around a month while he sheds his fur and skin.
“He is not sick or injured and doesn’t need to be chased back into the water or need water poured over him. Please keep your distance, keep dogs on leashes in the area and do your best not to disturb him. If you are concerned for his welfare, contact the relevant local authorities.”
Silvia Kirkman posted on her Facebook page that Buffel was tagged 10 years ago at Buffelsbaai, near Cape Point.
“Buffel has grown a lot since then… Now 12 years old and about 1300kg (males can get up to 4000kg).
“He hauls out annually, somewhere in and around the Cape Peninsula, to moult his fur… Sadly, he has not found a colony to belong to yet (typically found on islands in the subantarctic, south Atlantic and south Indian oceans).
“The community of Onrus has done an amazing job in protecting Buffel from human and dog harassment. We met two volunteers, Gerhard and Ronel, who have spent much time from the early morning hours watching over Buffel and raising awareness about this amazing seal with all the visitors coming by. We also met two of the security guards, Xolisa and Yandisa, who make sure people are respectful of Buffel’s space and don’t cross the tape barrier set up around Buffel. Sadly, Buffel has been harassed with stone-throwing during the night, to such an extent that he had to escape into the water, so now there are also guards at night to make sure he can rest peacefully during his month-long moulting period.
“Such a special seal, it was a privilege to meet him finally.”
Buffel sightings through the years
In 2023, Animal Ocean posted on Instagram that Buffel was in Dias Beach in Cape Point to moult.
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Ecologist Otto Whitehead, who spent a year on Marion Island, posted on Instagram about Buffel in 2019. At the time, Buffel was hauled out at Fish Hoek beach where he spent five weeks moulting his fur coat and replacing it with a new one. This helps him endure the frigid waters of the Southern Ocean during winter.
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Also in 2019, Secret Ocean captured an image of him swimming.
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Balancing marine ecosystems
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA says that elephant seals play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems and protecting them is important for several reasons.
Firstly, they are top predators, controlling the population of certain prey species and preventing overgrazing of marine resources. This helps maintain a diverse and healthy ecosystem.
Secondly, elephant seals contribute to nutrient cycling. Their excrement is rich in nutrients, and when they haul out on land, it acts as a fertiliser, promoting the growth of vegetation in coastal areas. This, in turn, supports various other species, including seabirds and invertebrates.
Additionally, elephant seals are indicators of the overall health of the marine environment. Monitoring their populations and behaviours can provide valuable insights into the state of the ocean, including potential threats such as pollution or climate change.
“By protecting elephant seals, we are essentially safeguarding the intricate web of life in the oceans and ensuring the resilience of marine ecosystems for future generations.”
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