Locals at a California beach report being baffled after spotting a large elephant seal with an unusual purple coloration. Both accounts describe the animal as a prominent seal present on the shoreline, drawing attention from nearby residents who noticed the distinctive color and shared photos and observations. The reports focus on public reaction—locals expressing surprise at the appearance—rather than providing confirmed causes for the coloration. No outlet quoted in the provided text identifies the reason the seal appears purple, such as skin conditions, environmental factors, or photographic effects. The coverage instead centers on the visible anomaly and the fact that the sighting is notable enough to attract local attention. The reports do not mention any verified statements from wildlife experts or agencies in the supplied excerpts. Overall, the story reflects a local mystery surrounding an elephant seal’s apparent color, with details limited to the sighting and the public reaction.