Neil the seal, the social media celebrity and southern elephant seal, is back on the Eastern Shore, and while his antics are popular online, authorities are concerned his fame could put him and the public at risk.
The five-and-a-half-year-old seal, now weighing an estimated 1,000 kilograms, is in the Clarence area for his annual moult, according to reporting from the ABC. His visit has seen him sleeping next to a service station, blocking intersections, and knocking over public property.
Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley told Pulse Tasmania that Neil has damaged public infrastructure, including poles and bollards, likely by scratching against them to help shed his old fur. The full extent of the damage won’t be clear until Neil returns to the water, the Mayor said.
Both the Clarence City Council and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE Tas) are urging the public to stay away from the seal. An ABC News report cited experts recommending people stay at least 20 metres away from Neil, and even further if they have dogs.
Wildlife biologist Dr Kris Carlyon from NRE’s Marine Conservation Program told Pulse Tasmania that Neil’s increasing size and confidence are making him harder to manage than in previous years. NRE staff and police have had to intervene when the seal has blocked traffic.
In a statement reported by the ABC, NRE Tas defended its management techniques, which include using padded sticks and boards to move the animal, describing them as a “standard internationally recognised technique used by trained wildlife experts” that does not harm the seal.
The core of the issue, as reported by the ABC, is the risk of “loving Neil to death,” where his popularity draws crowds that could disturb him or lead to a dangerous interaction. Authorities have repeatedly warned that despite his seemingly placid nature, Neil is a large, powerful, and unpredictable wild animal that could cause serious injury if he feels threatened.
For more on this story, you can read the original report from ABC News.