On a beach in Mar del Plata, a southern elephant seal startled a woman in the water, forcing her to exit quickly. A lifeguard intervened to prevent risks and explained the animal's behavior stems from a biological need to molt its fur.
The incident took place on January 1, 2026, on a beach in Mar del Plata during the summer season. A woman was enjoying the water when a southern elephant seal approached, startling her and forcing her to exit quickly. The swift action of a lifeguard prevented the situation from escalating into greater risk, allowing the animal to find refuge on the sand.
Martín, the lifeguard on duty, noted that such behavior is typical for southern elephant seals during their molting process, a biological necessity performed out of water. 'This type of behavior is related to a biological need of the elephant seal, as they need to undergo a fur replacement, a process carried out outside the water,' Martín explained.
Video footage of the moment captures the tension of the encounter, underscoring the importance of beach surveillance during the summer period. No injuries were reported, and the animal retreated peacefully to the beach.