California elephant seal turns purple from beach algae
A California elephant seal at Año Nuevo State Park with a purple hue got its unusual color from algae, park experts said June 30. If you look, California elephant seal's unusual purple coloration looked like it took a bath in grape juice—but seal experts traced the tint to red algae on Bight Beach, not internal bleeding or diet.
Key Takeaways
- Park experts identified algae—not internal bleeding or diet—as the cause of a purple elephant seal at Año Nuevo State Park.
- The seal was seen at Bight Beach with coloration officials compared to grape juice.
- Initial theories included purple sea urchins in the animal's diet and possible internal bleeding.
- Officials announced the finding on Instagram, calling the algae stain a timely summer spectacle.
Why Did the Elephant Seal Look Purple?
Park officials at Año Nuevo State Park said the elephant seal's unusual coloration came from algae after the animal was seen resting on the beach. Seal experts ruled out more alarming explanations that park officials had considered.
Theories about the cause included a diet heavy in purple sea urchins and possible internal bleeding, according to park officials. Seal experts revealed the true cause was algae.
Resting on red algae on the beach gave the seal its striking appearance, officials wrote on Instagram. The post credited the natural stain with timing "just in time for summer."
Where Was the Purple Seal Spotted?
The discolored elephant seal drew attention at Bight Beach inside Año Nuevo State Park in California.
Park staff shared images of the purple-hued animal on the park's Instagram account, @anonuevosp, after the unusual sighting.
What Did Park Officials Say About the Algae Stain?
In their Instagram post, Año Nuevo State Park officials said the seal looked as though it took a bath in grape juice. They said resting on red algae on the beach explained the vivid color.
The June 30 announcement came as park officials shared the algae explanation with the public on Instagram.
How Did Experts Rule Out Other Theories?
Before algae was confirmed, park officials weighed whether the seal's diet or internal bleeding might explain the purple tone. Purple sea urchins and internal bleeding were both discussed as possible causes.
Seal experts ultimately pointed to the red algae bed where the animal had been resting. Officials said that contact alone was enough to explain the seal's grape-juice-like tint.
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UPI first reported the park's explanation on June 30, 2026. Read the original account at UPI.