Cape Town welcomes Bakkies, the elephant seal, back to its shores

BAKKIES the elephant seal has been spotted on Cape Town's shores once again.

- STAFF REPORTER

Elephant seals from the South Atlantic Ocean make an appearance seasonally to haul out of the water for their moulting period, the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation said. Bakkies has made regular appearances along Cape Town's coast for many years now.

When sighted, his identity was confirmed by the blue tag #17612 on his back flipper, as part of a joint effort by the South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI), Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), and the Aquarium’s Marine Wildlife team.