Tasmania's 1,000 kg elephant seal Neil returns, wreaking havoc on roads and alarming wildlife officials
A southern elephant seal known as Neil has returned to southern Tasmania for his annual rest, but at an estimated 1,000 kilograms his presence has led to traffic blockages, vehicle damage, and renewed safety warnings from wildlife officials.
Who is Neil?
A southern elephant seal named Neil was born in October 2020 near Hobart, Tasmania. Unlike most of his species, which live on subantarctic islands, Neil keeps returning to his birthplace to moult and rest. Elephant seal expert Clive McMahon explained the seal's unusual attachment to the area.
Neil was born in Tasmania, near Hobart, and he thinks that's where home is because he doesn't know where Macquarie Island is, and he doesn't have a map.
This year marks his 12th return, and at about five and a half years old he has reached 1,000 kg. Experts say he could eventually grow to 3,500 kg and 4.5 metres long.
- Neil born in southern Tasmania
- Gains viral fame by playing with traffic cones during moulting
- Rests on a resident's lawn in Hobart, blocking car access
- Blocks intersection at Seven Mile Beach, weighs 1,000 kg
This year's antics
During his current visit Neil has blocked an intersection at Seven Mile Beach, slept next to a petrol station, and attacked bollards and barriers. He recently damaged a parked Toyota Land Cruiser after using it as a scratching post. Local mayor Brendan Blomeley noted the seal's behaviour is linked to his moulting cycle.
As long as he hasn't finished his moulting, he will keep rubbing against things.
The extent of property damage remains unclear, and some residents joke about insurance claims. For now, wildlife officers guide Neil with padded poles and boards to move him away from roads and crowds.
A social media sensation
Neil has become an internet star, with over 1.4 million followers on TikTok and 165,000 on Instagram. His fame began in July 2022 when a video of him playing with traffic cones went viral. Despite the lighthearted content, wildlife officials say the attention brings real dangers. Dr Kris Carlyon, section head for wildlife health, called it a "double-edged sword".
Right now the attention Neil gets helps with awareness of our threatened species, helps with his protection in some ways. But it also encourages perhaps risky human behaviour, people trying to get selfies with Neil, people trying get that little bit closer for that good photo.
Safety warnings and the risk of euthanasia
Authorities have reported instances of people bringing babies close to Neil for photos, and some have tried to leave food for him even though he does not eat on land. Carlyon warned that such behaviour could ultimately force authorities to euthanise the animal if it becomes an unmanageable safety concern.
We have seen examples around the world where large, potentially dangerous animals have had to be euthanised if there is risky behaviour by the public, resulting in an unmanageable safety concern.
Officials stress that Neil is a wild predator, capable of rapid movement despite his size. The public is told to stay at least 20 metres away and to retreat slowly if he approaches. To prevent crowds, authorities ask people not to share his location online.
Managing a growing giant
With each visit Neil becomes more confident and harder to handle, according to wildlife officers. They are using non-invasive methods to guide him, but his increasing size means future interventions could become more challenging. The current stay, during which he rests after feeding in the Southern Ocean, is expected to last around six weeks.
