Elephant seal sightings along the Brazilian coast

Elephant seals have been sighted along various stretches of the Brazilian coast, particularly in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Paraná, and now Rio Grande do Sul/São Paulo regions.

In Rio de Janeiro, a young specimen appeared on São Conrado Beach on October 2, 2026. The Rio de Janeiro Military Fire Department isolated the area using purple flags to ensure public safety. Experts from the University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) suggested the animal may have been carried by cold currents from the Valdés Peninsula in Argentina. This individual has continued a tour of the coastline, with sightings reported in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Joatinga, São Conrado, Niterói, Copacabana, and most recently on the sands of Copacabana, appearing healthy.

On October 12, 2026, an elephant seal appeared on the beaches of Itaipuaçu in Maricá. The animal was spotted resting near Praia do Recanto and later near the Itaipuaçu Civil Defense base. The Maricá Civil Guard isolated the area to prevent contact with swimmers. Experts from the environmental consultancy Econservation noted the possibility that this could be the same individual recently sighted in Niterói and other parts of the Metropolitan Region. After a brief period on the sand, the animal returned to the sea.

In the state of Paraná, researchers from the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) recorded an adult female southern elephant seal resting at Balneário Brejatuba in Guaratuba. This female was identified through body markings as the same individual previously spotted in São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina. The animal was monitored by a multidisciplinary team before returning to the sea.

Biologists have advised the public to maintain a safe distance, avoid making noise, and refrain from feeding the animals to prevent stress.