Everyone is rightfully infatuated by the return of ‘Neil the Seal’ in Tasmania, but officials have offered a few warnings to ensure the beloved animal can keep up his antics moving forward.
ICYMI, the elephant seal — nicknamed Neil by locals — reappeared in south-east Tasmania last week just in time for moulting season.
The animal, who was born without a colony and therefore returns to shore unaccompanied for his biannual shedding, has attracted huge crowds both in Tasmania and on social media, becoming a breakout viral sensation for his destructive antics around local infrastructure.
Officials in charge of managing Neil have confirmed in recent days that his headline-grabbing demolitions — like crushing nearby fences, barging roadside bollards, and even bodyslamming locals’ cars — are to be expected for an animal of his age and species.
While teenage elephant seals usually have playmates to practice the defensive behaviours they’ll need to later compete for mates, Neil famously flies solos, which explains why he is rehearsing his aggression on everyday objects.
“He’s got no other seals to play with, to joust with, to test his own strength with like he would be doing normally,” Kris Carlyon from Tasmania’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment said at a press conference last week.
@neiltheseal316 He used to practice his big roar when he was just a pup… now he’s 6 years old and stopping traffic in Tassie with it! 📣😭 Watch until the end to see how much our favorite seal has grown. #neiltheseal #growingboy #babyneil
♬ original sound – Neil the Seal 🦭
But authorities have warned that Neil’s attention-getting mischief might also be endangering him, with reports of hundreds and even thousands-strong crowds gathering to get a glimpse of the seal as he remains on land for moult season.
“Neil’s fame is a bit of a double-edged sword,” Carlyon said, asking the public to give Neil some privacy and avoid risky behaviour when gathering to observe the animal.
Carlyon said there’s already been “some pretty silly behaviour” around Neil over the past week, including “people carrying their small babies” up to the seal or approaching him to “get that shot for Instagram”.
To ensure no injury to either locals or the seal, which weighs a whopping 1,000 kilograms and will only get heavier ahead of future moult, officials have instructed visitors to stay at least 20 metres away from Neil, and to keep any dogs on leashes at least 50 metres away.
@manda.joy.1986 Neil… they are worth $2k a pop …. He don’t care 🙈😂 . . . #neiltheseal #ungovernable #wildlife #seal #fypシ @Neil the Seal 🦭
♬ Bad Reputation – Joan Jett
On top of that, officials reminded observers of the fines of up to $16,000, and jail terms of up to 12 months, that are already in place to prevent any untoward behaviour around the seal.
Carlyon also urged folks not to publicise the name of the Tasmanian town where the seal is residing to keep visitors to a minimum, and reminded everyone that Neil is a wild animal.
“He is a large marine predator and we need to treat him as such and give him the respect he deserves. He can look cute and cuddly… but we certainly wouldn’t be approaching things like polar bears or bison,” he said.
In a more dire warning, Carlyon said authorities overseas have sometimes been forced to euthanise animals in cases like this when people’s behaviour threatens it or the local community.
“There is a risk here of essentially loving Neil to death,” Carlyon warned. “[But] it’s a last resort. That is where we don’t want to get to,” he added.
For now, authorities have been able to manage Neil’s time on land without any reports of danger to the animal or locals.
Carlyon said he understands the public fascination that comes with the seal’s return, but urged visitors to be respectful, sensible and to follow council guidelines.
“It is unique having a big animal like this close to a major city on a fairly urban beach, we understand that. What we’re asking people to do is, if they do go and see Neil, is to give him the respect he needs, to keep their distance and just adhere to any guidance that department staff or council workers do provide,” Carlyon said.
“We’re certainly not saying people have to stay away, but we need people to really be sensible about how they do that.”
Lead images: TikTok
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