Sabrina: A Variety of Portraits

Goodness knows how many miles of film have been shot since Sabrina, the playful elephant seal, made Gisborne her home a few weeks ago, but it must be quite a few. She has a habit of settling down wherever people can get a good view of her, and obviously likes the company. At time of writing (Aug.5) she has not shown any signs of leaving, and she continues to be a star attraction for the children, and for many of the city's adults as well.

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A close-up taken the day Sabrina arrived.

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Lying on her side in shallow water.

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Crowds watching Sabrina from the boat wharf on a recent fine Sunday afternoon.

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Lying in the rushes by the Peel Street bridge

One of Sabrina's best friends in the city is Mabel Foote, who speaks endearingly to her, and scratches her back with an old straw broom. Sabrina thinks very highly of this treatment, as long as she is safely in the water. One night when Mabel was awakened by loud "barking" from the river, she rose and hastened to see what was wrong. There was nothing wrong...Sabrina was just feeling lonely!

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Mrs Mason, of Parau Street, made this sketch of Sabrina at Peel Street bridge. Compare with picture at left.

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Sabrina hasn't caught on to ball games yet.......

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......but she loves to get a grip on that old straw broom