A rare visitor has surprised residents in the streets of Gordon's Bay in South Africa

A southern elephant seal has been safely returned to the ocean after wandering through the streets of Gordon's Bay, a coastal town near Cape Town, South Africa. The seal's appearance had prompted a large-scale rescue operation.

The young male, estimated to weigh around two tons (4,400 pounds), was first spotted early Tuesday navigating the suburb's streets. Startled residents emerged from their homes to witness the unexpected visitor, capturing videos of the marine mammal lumbering along sidewalks.

In one widely shared clip, police officers can be seen surrounding the visitor with their vehicles, attempting to prevent the animal from moving further. However, the seal showed no fear of the cars and calmly rested its head on the hood of a vehicle. After a while, it resumed its journey, making its way onto the sidewalk.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA confirmed that the animal was eventually secured near a shopping center, at which point experts concluded it was unlikely to find its own way back to sea. A team of wildlife and emergency personnel was quickly dispatched to the scene.

The organization also released a video showing the seal's return to the sea.

The SPCA later confirmed in a Facebook post that the seal had hauled out once again, this time at the Naval Base in Simon's Town. "He's currently safe and secure in a location where he cannot access any roads, and there's no immediate risk to his well-being," the organization said. 

Southern elephant seals are the largest seal species in the world and are typically found in sub-Antarctic waters. While sightings in South Africa are rare, experts note that young males occasionally stray from their usual habitats and appear along the country's coastline.

"Wild animals don't always follow the script, and this seal's unexpected journey into a residential area created real cause for concern," Belinda Abraham, a spokesperson for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, stated.

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The organization also urged residents to avoid approaching, feeding, or attempting to assist wildlife spotted in urban areas, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe distance.