Just when his fans thought they had said their goodbyes, the Eastern Cape’s adored heavyweight traveller, Talhado, has officially made a surprise comeback!
Jeffreys Bay, South Africa (24 March 2026) – At the beginning of the year, the shores of Gqeberha brought in a very special visitor – an adult male southern elephant seal who spent nearly three weeks hauled out in the busy harbour.
According to Bayworld Museum Marine Mammals, after moving between a few spots, he settled at the Talhado Slipway – his favourite resting place. The Talhado staff welcomed and protected him, and so he earned the name ‘Talhado’!
Many visitors worried he might be ill due to his tatty skin, but he was simply undergoing his annual catastrophic moult.
Gqeberha’s midday summer heat proved a bit much, and by mid-morning, Talhado would slip into the water to cool off – floating for hours before hauling out again in the evening. While he rotated between slipways, his favourite remained the Talhado slipway, where he was left in peace.
After a few weeks of resting, moulting, and losing significant weight, Talhado finally headed back to sea.
His adoring fans were convinced that he had left for good (or at least until next year), but Talhado had other travel stop plans.
On Saturday, the NSRI Station 37 received reports of a Southern Elephant Seal hauling out on local beaches in Jeffrey’s Bay – and lo and behold, it was Talhado!
“Many will recognise this visitor as Talhado, the same seal who spent three weeks moulting at the Talhado slipway in Port Elizabeth Harbour in January and early February. He has now made his way down the coast to Jeffreys Bay,” NSRI confirmed.
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The sea rescue organisation stressed the importance of the public maintaining a safe distance from him as he is a wild animal undergoing a natural physiological process.
Residents and visitors are requested to follow these safety protocols to ensure both public safety and the animal’s welfare:
- Maintain Distance: Keep at least 10 meters away from the seal at all times.
- Control Pets: Dogs must be kept on a leash and well away from the area.
- Do Not Intervene: Do not attempt to feed him, pour water on him, or encourage him back into the surf. He is ashore because he needs to rest.
- No Harassment: Please keep noise levels down and do not crowd the animal.
The NSRI team is working closely with Bayworld to monitor his condition and requests that anyone who happens to spot the seal on local beaches, to kindly report his location to the Bayworld Stranding Hotline on 071 724 2122 or contact NSRI Station 37 on 079 916 0390.
Sources: NSRI Station 37 | Bayworld Museum Marine Mammals
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