Buffel the Elephant Seal has returned to Duiker Island, Hout Bay.
Our famous Cape Townian Southern Elephant seal, Buffel, has returned to Duiker Island. It's great to have him back in the area and we are seeing him daily on our snorkeling trips. He first arrived on Duiker Island on the 14 September this year and settled into his familiar patterns. This is the first underwater footage I've ever captured on Buffel. All my previous attempts were to get photographs. Buffel normally hangs out in back of a shallow bay, which is not accessible to us. It's only when he comes out into deeper water that I have been able to approach him and film. Have a look below...
Buffel first arrived on Duiker Island in December 2016 for a super short visit (his nose-snorkel was small then!). He returned in 2017 and 2018 where he stayed for a few months. In February this year he become a real celebrity by choosing the moult on Fish Hoek beach, where everyone could admire him. He made an appearance in numerous online news articles, asking people to leave him alone as he shed his skin. During that time images rose of a young Elephant seal being born in Cape Point, tat match the age of Buffel. We think he's a true local and will keep popping up on the peninsular for a long time to come. Check out these past Blogs to learn more ....