Hout Bay has once again been abuzz with the arrival of a unique guest: Buffel, a Southern elephant seal. This impressive creature has taken up residence on Duiker Island, sharing space with our local Cape fur seals. Buffel’s appearance is a rare treat, as elephant seals typically roam the South Atlantic near subantarctic islands, with the closest colony on South Africa’s Marion Island – over 2,100 kilometres away from Cape Town. Let’s get to know Hout Bay’s elephant seal a bit better.
Fun Facts about Southern Elephant Seals
Southern Elephant seals are remarkable animals known for their immense size and resilience. The males, or “bulls,” can weigh between 2,200 to 4,000 kilograms and reach lengths of nearly 6 metres! This makes Buffel truly stand out among the smaller Cape fur seals, which typically weigh up to 330 kilograms. Female Southern Elephant seals are smaller but can still weigh up to 900 kilograms. Interestingly, these seals are also record-breaking divers, hunting for fish and squid at depths of up to 1,000 metres and sometimes even beyond 2,000 metres – making them the deepest-diving air-breathing non-cetaceans.
Buffel’s Unique Behavior and Challenges
Buffel the elephant seal in Hout Bay has stirred quite a bit of attention not only due to his size but also because of his unusual behaviour. He has a habit of “playing” with the local Cape fur seals. Although his idea of play can be rough. His interactions with our fur seals sometimes lead to injury, for both. Given that it’s breeding season for elephant seals right now, Buffel’s behaviour is likely influenced by hormones. And his presence on Duiker Island is a reminder of the complex characteristics of these majestic animals.
Recently, concerns arose about Buffel’s health due to a rabies outbreak in local seal colonies, which could potentially spread to visiting marine mammals. Fortunately, a team of marine scientists and veterinarians, including experts from the Two Oceans Aquarium and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, successfully administered a rabies vaccine to Buffel. This vaccination effort highlights the commitment to protecting not only Buffel but also his distant South Atlantic relatives from potential disease.
What does the Future hold for Buffel?
As the only elephant seal in Hout Bay, Buffel has become something of a celebrity. His distinctive face, complete with a scar through his left eyebrow and a blind left eye, makes him easily recognizable. His life on Duiker Island hasn’t been without its challenges, but he’s shown remarkable resilience. Buffel spends his days sunbathing, cooling off in the Atlantic, and occasionally asserting himself among the Cape fur seals.
Meet Buffel on a Seal Island Boat Tour
If you would like to see Buffel up close, join a boat tour with Circe Launches. Our seal-watching tours offer the best vantage point to observe Buffel, the Cape fur seals and other marine life in their natural habitat. Book a cruise with us today to experience Hout Bay’s unique marine world and catch a glimpse of our famous elephant seal.
