Buffel the elephant seal is back in Cape Town for his annual moult and he picked Hermanus as this year’s haul-out site.
Also read: Rare elephant seal seen at Cape Point
Southern elephant seals are typically found in the Southern Ocean, with the closest colony being Marion Island, nearly 2 000 kilometres from Cape Town.
So, sightings of the species are uncommon, though it is said that Buffel was born on our Cape shores to a displaced mother. He was first spotted in 2016 and has since been hauled out for his annual moult on Cape Town beaches, ranging from Llandudno to Fish Hoek. The majority of haul-out sites are on subantarctic and Antarctic islands, making Buffel sightings even more exciting.
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‘Buffel may appear exhausted and thin because Elephant Seals do not hunt during a moult; he will rely on his blubber reserves to sustain him for approximately a month while shedding his skin,’ explained the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
‘He is not sick or injured and doesn’t need to be chased back into the water or need water poured over him.’
‘So 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.’
This species continues to qualify for listing on the IUCN list of threatened species. Elephant seals play an important role in keeping marine ecosystems healthy. Protecting them is critical for a variety of reasons.
For starters, they are top predators, regulating the population of specific prey species and preventing overgrazing of marine resources. This contributes to a diverse and healthy ecosystem.
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Secondly, elephant seals aid in nutrient cycling. Their excrement is high in nutrients, and when they dump it on land, it acts as a fertiliser, encouraging the growth of vegetation in coastal areas. This, in turn, benefits many other species, including seabirds and invertebrates.
Additionally, elephant seals serve as indicators of the overall health of the marine environment. Monitoring their populations and behaviours can provide valuable information about the state of the ocean, including potential threats like pollution and climate change.
By preserving elephant seals, we are essentially protecting the intricate web of life in the oceans and ensuring the resilience of marine ecosystems for future generations.
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Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA