Australian officials urge fans to give Neil the seal space

Neil, a 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) elephant seal, has returned to Tasmania for his 12th visit, drawing a massive TikTok following of 1.4 million and causing property damage. Officials are concerned that his fame could lead to dangerous human-seal encounters and have urged the public to give him privacy. Source: AP News

What happened

Neil, a five-year-old male, hauled ashore in June for his biannual visit. He has bent traffic bollards, destroyed a seal warning sign, and broken a fence. He often lies in roads, stopping traffic. Source: SCMP Some online hail him as an anti-authoritarian hero, but experts say his behavior is normal. "Juvenile male elephant seals need to practice for dominance battles… With no other juveniles to practice with, Neil can only rehearse on Toyotas," said scientist Sophia Volzke. Source: NPR

Officials' plea

Tasmanian wildlife official Kris Carlyon said, "Neil's fame is a bit of a double-edged sword… We have had some pretty silly behavior, instances with people carrying their small babies up close to him and simply trying to get that shot for Instagram." Source: AP News Officials have asked the public not to disclose Neil's location, fearing a disastrous encounter could force rangers to relocate him. Carlyon warned that a walrus named Freya was euthanized in 2023 after drawing crowds, adding, "There is a risk here of essentially loving Neil to death." Source: NPR