Gordy the southern elephant seal went viral in May 2025 after wandering more than 1 km inland into the residential area of Gordon’s Bay, which is where his name comes from. You might be wondering, where is Gordy now?
Roughly halfway between South Africa and Antarctica lies Marion Island, an important breeding ground for southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina). On 04 March 2026, South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) marine mammal researchers came across Gordy during their elephant seal census on the island.
Gordy is a perfect example of how important it is to tag vagrant animals that visit the South African coast. He was certainly an unexpected visitor to Marion Island, and an important one for that matter, highlighting the value of long-term monitoring programmes. Gordy is marked with two blue flipper tags from the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, which allowed researchers to identify him.
Gordy the southern elephant seal on Hooker Beach, Marion Island, 04 March 2026. The blue flipper tags used for identification are clearly visible (photo by Camilla Smyth)
Tagging Gordy in May 2025 was a true collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders, including SAPRI, the City of Cape Town, Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, DFFE, SPCA, Shark Spotters, SAPS and other partners. Gordy was also vaccinated against rabies.
We are happy to see that Gordy has since returned to the southern oceans, where southern elephant seals naturally occur. His sighting highlights the value of collaborative efforts and long-term monitoring in understanding the movements of these marine mammals. Click here to read more about the important work of the sealers on Marion Island.
Gordy the southern elephant seal in Gordon’s Bay, Western Cape, May 2025 (photo by Yinhla Shihlomule)
SAPRI overwinterers on Marion Island, Chandler Patel, Camilla Smyth and Kwanele Khuzwayo, enjoying a moment with weaned southern elephant seal pups during a weighing session at Archway Beach (photo by Mndeni Hlatshwayo)
Written by Yinhla Shihlomule, South African Polar Research Infrastructure Top Predator Monitoring Coordinator
Anne Treasure, South African Polar Research Infrastructure, 13 March 2026
