Unexpected beach guest: Elephant seal draws crowds in Rio

Loading the video No Comment Video. Unexpected beach guest: Elephant seal draws crowds in Rio Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 07/10/2026 - 20:44 GMT+2 A southern elephant seal surprised Rio’s Copacabana beachgoers, drawing crowds, photos and social media buzz as officials set up barriers to protect it. A southern elephant seal took an unexpected rest on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach, drawing curious beachgoers who stopped to watch and take photos. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT A barrier was placed around the animal, with signs asking people to keep their distance as it lounged on the sand. The sight quickly became a talking point among locals and visitors. Some said they had never seen an elephant seal here before, while others had rushed over after spotting videos of it on social media. For residents, seeing the large marine mammal on one of Rio's best-known shores was an unusual experience. One beachgoer joked that everyone wants to visit Copacabana, 'even the elephant seal'. Brazil Animals Ocean Rio de Janeiro Elephants Top stories Now playing Next Unexpected beach guest: Elephant seal draws crowds in Rio Now playing Next Fantasy worlds come to life on nails at London nail art competition Now playing Next Residents search belongings after Jerusalem building demolished Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | October 7th, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next Judo 2026 World Championships: Koga and Yusifov Strike Gold on Opening Day in Baku Now playing Next One-minute siren sounds in Tel Aviv to mark October 7 anniversary Now playing Next Tokyo sleep competition offers 2 million yen prize to best sleeper Now playing Next Bulgaria calls off search for 10 missing sailors after their ship sank Now playing Next Pneumonic plague: How it spreads and what is the risk to Europe? Now playing Next WHO says Siberia plague risk is low as drones sink Black Sea ships Now playing Next Metsola to take action after MEP Rima Hassan removes Israeli flag Now playing Next Puigdemont welcomes Spain's amnesty but warns it is not the solution for Catalonia Now playing Next Poland’s economic rise - Can it last? The Ring in Warsaw Now playing Next Former BND chief's aide arrested as Germany's biggest spy scandal widens Now playing Next Inside Kazakhstan’s historic rock-hewn mosques now recognised by UNESCO Now playing Next Willem de Kooning returns to the Netherlands for major Rijksmuseum exhibition ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Kyiv residents take refuge underground during overnight Russian attacks No Comment Israelis mourn Nova festival victims three years after Hamas attack No Comment Tear gas and fireworks as student protests turn violent in Paris No Comment Paris police clash with protesters over school conditions Russia Trump to talk plague with Putin as Russia plays down fears of outbreak Europe News EU releases €1.24 billion for Ukrainian-made drones and munitions Health news Plague fears in Siberia: How are Irkutsk residents reacting? Europe News Zelenskyy says Russia missile attack that killed 14 is birthday 'gift' to Putin Europe Today Removing Russian oligarchs from sanctions list sets 'a very bad precedent', Browder says Explore Balloons, baths and poppy-seed cuisine: discover Afyonkarahisar Israel Israel pauses in moment of silence to remember those killed on 7 October Europe Today Israel's ambassador Zarka: France has a serious antisemitism problem ADVERTISEMENT Europe Today Siberia plague outbreak is an 'isolated incident', virologist says Europe Today Europe Today: WHO says Siberia plague risk is low as drones sink Black Sea ships Europe News Puigdemont welcomes Spain's amnesty but warns it is not the solution for Catalonia Sport Argentina waves football great Lionel Messi off after 3-0 win over Benin in final international appearance Sport Judo: Japan crowns two new world champions in Baku Europe News 500 arrested as French police clashes with protesters on third day of national action by high school students Qatar 'Whole world is paying' for Iran war, Qatar warns as mediation efforts continue Europe News Metsola to take action after MEP Rima Hassan removes Israeli flag ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT