A whole new world: An elephant seal explores Cape Town’s streets

This children’s article, A whole new world: An elephant seal explores Cape Town’s streets, has been written for learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children practise reading and comprehension, learn useful vocabulary, and find out more about elephant seals and marine conservation. Written by Sinead O’Carroll, a writer and EFL teacher since 2017.

A big surprise in a harbour town

The ocean is a huge place. In fact, over 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. But even with all that space, one enormous elephant seal decided to go exploring on land.

This week, a two-tonne Southern elephant seal made its way out of the ocean and into Gordon’s Bay, a harbour town near Cape Town, South Africa.

Local people watched in amazement as the seal crossed roads, climbed over cars and even slid its way to a shopping centre. People followed from a distance, taking photos and videos. Luckily, no one got too close, as elephant seals can be dangerous if they feel scared or cornered.

Wildlife experts and a city vet carefully sedated the seal and moved it onto a special trailer. After nine hours of careful work, the animal was safely returned to the sea at a nearby bay.

What is an elephant seal?

Elephant seals are the largest type of seal in the world. Surprisingly, they’re not named for their size, though. Male elephant seals have a long, droopy nose called a proboscis. It looks a little like an elephant’s trunk, which is how they got their name.

There are two kinds of elephant seals: Northern and Southern. The one in Cape Town was a Southern elephant seal, which is the bigger of the two.

Adult males can grow to almost 5 metres long and weigh more than 4,000 kilograms!

Why are elephant seals important?

In the past, elephant seals were hunted nearly to extinction. People wanted their thick layer of fat, called blubber, which was used to make oil. Thankfully, hunting was stopped, and their numbers started to grow again.

Even though they are not considered endangered today, some scientists are worried. As ocean temperatures change, it may become harder for elephant seals to find food. 

Researchers are studying their habits to learn how to protect them in the future.

Interesting facts about elephant seals

• Elephant seals can hold their breath for up to 2 hours underwater.
  
• Southern elephant seals are great divers, they can dive deeper than many types of whales.
  
• Baby elephant seals are called pups.
  
• They spend about 80% of their lives in the ocean.
  
• Male elephant seals fight each other to become the leader of a group. These battles are loud and dramatic!
  
• Even though they look clumsy on land, they are fast swimmers in the water.
  
• Every year, they moult not only their fur but also the outer layer of their skin.

You can read more about Southern elephant seals and their conservation at Oceanwide Expeditions

Article vocabulary list

• Harbour – a place by the sea where boats and ships can stop safely
• Sedated – made sleepy or calm using medicine
• Trailer – a large vehicle used for carrying things or animals
• Proboscis – a long nose or snout, like the one on an elephant seal
• Blubber – thick fat under the skin of some sea animals
• Conservation – protecting nature and wildlife
• Extinction – when a type of animal no longer exists
• Marine – relating to the sea
• Habitat – the natural home of an animal or plant

Comprehension questions

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