Rocky has been a busybody! This adorable young elephant seal has captured hearts along the KwaZulu-Natal coast and beyond. Now, he’s off on a grand adventure to Cape Town!
Cape Town, South Africa (07 March 2025) – Remember Rocky, the young southern elephant seal? He’s the adorable chap who washed ashore at Rocky Bay Beach on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast in October last year.
He was found stranded by beachgoers before finding his way to the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) where he was assessed, found to be in good health and released back into the ocean.
BUT, this seal managed to find his way back to the SAAMBR near the festive season after being hauled out onto another popular KZN beach.
Marine experts came to discover that Rocky was undergoing his annual moult and a decision was made to keep him at the rehabilitation facility where he could be monitored and allowed to recover in peace.
Now, Rocky is in prime condition and has embarked on a new part of his journey: sailing out of Durban to Cape Town as he makes his way home to the southern ocean – marking an emotional goodbye for the staff who had been caring for him after the past few months.
“Rocky was one of the most endearing seals I have had the privilege of caring for. His huge eyes and unassuming nature melted the hearts of not only the staff who cared for him, but literally everyone who for one reason or another found themselves staring into his soulful eyes,” said Assistant Curator, Mammal and Birds, Bilal Limbada.
When Rocky was admitted into the care of the uShaka Sea World staff, he was slightly underweight for a southern elephant seal of his age and needed to gain around 35 kilograms before he could be released.
He was nursed back to health with a hearty appetite for sardines and the loving attention of dedicated staff.
“We will be able to track Rocky’s travels over the next year or so as he has been fitted with a satellite tag courtesy of the Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Faculty of Health Services, University of Pretoria,” SAAMBR explained.
“If all goes well, we will be able to give you regular updates on his travels. Go well Rocky, we hope that you will have some amazing ocean adventures on your way home. We can’t wait to follow your satellite tracks.”
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