A massive elephant seal estimated to weigh more than half a tonne blocked a busy street in Brazil after deciding to go for an impromptu stroll.

The animal stopped traffic for more than an hour in the southern state of Santa Catarina.

The 9-foot-8 creature waddled out of the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday and headed up the beach straight for the busy Avenida Atlantica.

Police officers and firefighters splashed water on it to keep it wet as it used the pedestrian crossing.

Locals said the animal returned to the water about 60 minutes later.