Sighting of a Southern elephant seal Mirounga leonina in the Tolten River, southern Chile

The Southern elephant seal (SES) is a marine species that can be found at sea throughout the Southern Ocean on most sub-Antarctic islands. An unusual record of a solitary Southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) in freshwater habitat is reported. The seal was found 16 km upstream from the mouth of the Tolten River, in southern Chile (39 degrees 9'S; 73 degrees 10'W). The individual was classified as a sub-adult male approximately 3 m in length. Potential causes for the unusual presence of the seal in a river include feeding on native estuarine fishes and non-native Chinook salmon or resting. Long lasting resting (5 days) in the Tolten River by the seal may indicate suitable habitat and/or lack of disturbance.