A peculiar sight at California's Año Nuevo State Park, where a northern elephant seal appeared to have been dyed a vibrant purple, has been attributed to a natural phenomenon. Beachgoers and park officials were initially puzzled by the marine mammal's grape-like hue, sparking various theories before experts identified the cause.
Scientists determined that the seal's striking appearance was a result of lounging on a patch of red algae that had washed ashore. This algae temporarily stained the seal's fur, creating a colorful display that has since faded. Park officials confirmed that such algae can briefly alter the coat colors of elephant seals.
The colorful visitor appeared during the park's annual molting season, a period between April and August when thousands of elephant seals gather on the beaches. During this time, the pinnipeds shed their outer layer of skin and grow a new coat.
Several thousand elephant seals inhabit the Año Nuevo beaches for their molting season each year. The park, located in San Mateo County, is a well-known destination for observing these marine mammals. Officials had considered other possibilities for the seal's coloration, including a diet of purple sea urchins or internal bleeding, but these were ruled out once the algae staining was identified.
The incident generated lighthearted commentary on social media, with users posting playful remarks about the seal's unusual color.