{"id":152612,"date":"2025-05-29T10:28:42","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T08:28:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodthingsguy.com\/?p=152612"},"modified":"2025-05-29T10:51:28","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T08:51:28","slug":"from-suburb-sensation-to-naval-base-nap-gordy-the-elephant-seal-is-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodthingsguy.com\/environment\/from-suburb-sensation-to-naval-base-nap-gordy-the-elephant-seal-is-back\/","title":{"rendered":"From Suburb Sensation to Naval Base Nap: Gordy The Elephant Seal is Back!!!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just two days after his unforgettable suburban stroll, Gordy the elephant seal has resurfaced in Simon\u2019s Town\u2026 still big, still blubbery and still ridiculously adorable.<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Western Cape, South Africa (29 May 2025)<\/em> – Just two days after his surprise city stroll had South Africans glued to their screens, Gordy the elephant seal is back\u2026 and he\u2019s safe, snoozing peacefully at the Naval Base in Simon\u2019s Town.<\/p>\n

Yes, that elephant seal.<\/p>\n

The one who turned a sleepy Tuesday morning in Gordon\u2019s Bay<\/a> into a national moment of joy, curiosity and community connection.<\/p>\n

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has just confirmed the good news via social media: \u201c\ud83d\udea8 GORDY\u2019S BACK \u2013 BUT HE\u2019S SAFE! \ud83d\udc18\ud83c\udf0a Our favourite blubbery visitor has hauled out again\u2014this time at the Naval Base in Simon\u2019s Town.\u201d <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

They added that Gordy is currently in a secure location, far from roads and traffic, and \u201cthere\u2019s no immediate risk to his well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n

City officials and SPCA Inspectors are on scene, keeping a close eye on him. But for now, Gordy\u2019s just doing what elephant seals do best… lounging. Resting on land (or \u201chauling out,\u201d as marine folk call it) is completely normal behaviour for these ocean giants, especially when they\u2019re moulting or recovering from long swims.<\/p>\n

The gentle giant made headlines earlier this week when he wandered nearly a kilometre inland through Gordon\u2019s Bay<\/a>, delighting locals and confusing motorists. Videos of him resting his head on a police car bonnet (and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA bonnet) while traffic stopped to accommodate him went viral. Some folks even questioned if the footage was real<\/a>. (Spoiler alert: it very much was.)<\/p>\n

\"Elephant
Photo Credit: Cape of Good Hope SPCA | Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Elephant
Photo Credit: Cape of Good Hope SPCA | Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Social media users were quick to name him. Some called him \u201cGordon\u201d (for obvious reasons), others preferred \u201cGordy,\u201d and local news guru Gugu Statu affectionately dubbed him \u201cChonky\u201d… which, let\u2019s be honest, suits him just as perfectly.<\/p>\n

But behind the laughter and viral moments was something far more profound: a full-scale, coordinated rescue effort powered by compassion and teamwork<\/a>.<\/p>\n

From SPCA inspectors and marine biologists to the SAPS, traffic officers, Shark Spotters, and even Two Oceans Aquarium\u2014teams moved quickly to ensure Gordy was safe. He was sedated, gently loaded into a game capture trailer, and returned to Koggel Bay<\/a>, a quieter beach more suitable for a marine mammal of his size.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt truly takes a village,\u201d said SPCA\u2019s Belinda Abraham. \u201cWe\u2019re incredibly grateful to everyone who stepped up \u2013 for their professionalism, their compassion, and their quick response to an animal in distress.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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This was the moment Gordy\/Chonky made its way back home. \u2764\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/MipvAFmTAY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Brent Lindeque (@BrentLindeque) May 27, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n