A massive animal galumphing around Gordon’s Bay, a harbor town at the southern tip of South Africa, caused quite a stir. The marine mammal, an elephant seal, had somehow made its way into the streets of Gordon’s Bay, despite not having any legs. Like other seals, elephant seals get around on land by scooting on their bellies. This is also called galumphing.
“The quaint and picturesque seaside town, of Gordon’s Bay, was woken up by a rather large and unexpected guest this morning,” wrote Time Out Cape Town. “The massive elephant seal waded its way through Sir Lowry’s Pass Road causing commotion among residents. Resting on the hood of vehicles and posing for pictures, the elephant seal caught everyone’s eye.”
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Cape of Good Hope SPCA helped capture the elephant seal named Gordy. It’s not his first escapade through town, apparently.
“GORDY’S BACK – BUT HE’S SAFE!” the animal-rescue organization wrote in an Instagram post sharing an update. “Our favourite blubbery visitor has hauled out again—this time at the Naval Base in Simon’s Town. He’s currently safe and secure in a location where he cannot access any roads, and there’s no immediate risk to his well-being.”
Elephant seals can be 20 feet long and weigh up to 8,800 pounds.
See the massive animal galumphing about town here:
Here’s the update from Cape of Good Hope SPCA:
Header stock image by Vicki Jauron, Babylon and Beyond Photography/Getty Images