A northern elephant seal has become a colorful curiosity for visitors at Año Nuevo State Park in California, sporting a striking purple coat that has baffled locals. The unusually hued marine mammal was spotted by park guide Irene Reti, resting calmly among its slate-gray counterparts.
While the vibrant color might appear unnatural, park officials and seal experts have explained that it is a temporary effect caused by naturally occurring red algae. The phenomenon is linked to the seals' annual molting period, which coincides with warmer weather that promotes algae blooms along the coast. When the seals rest on the algae-covered shores, their new fur absorbs the pigments, giving them a temporary purple tint.
Dr. Patrick Robinson, director of Año Nuevo State Park, noted that late spring and early summer are peak molting times for elephant seals, and the abundance of algae during this period can lead to such striking colorations. This process is similar to how flamingos acquire their pink feathers from consuming carotenoid-rich organisms.
Park experts have dismissed speculation that the color change could be due to a genetic mutation or a specific diet, such as consuming sea urchins. The purple coloration, while unusual and making the seal stand out, is not believed to cause any harm to the animal.
Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) are the largest of the 'true seals' in the Northern Hemisphere, weighing between 590 to 2,000 kilograms and reaching lengths of 3 to 4 meters. Their habitat spans from Alaska to the West Coast of America. Once thought to be extinct in the 1880s due to hunting, their populations have robustly recovered since the early 1990s. More than 10,000 northern elephant seals annually visit Año Nuevo State Park for breeding, molting, and giving birth.
This colorful sighting comes as the elephant seal viewing areas at Año Nuevo State Park have recently reopened to the public after a six-week closure. The closure was due to an outbreak of H5N1 avian bird flu, which was detected in February and believed to have killed around 16 elephant seals. Scientists had increased monitoring due to concerns about the virus's impact on the elephant seal population. Park officials have reported that the virus has subsided, with no new cases detected over a two-week period, though restrictions may be reinstated if necessary.
