The Marine Conservation Program (MCP), under Tasmania\u2019s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, has even created an Instagram page for Neil, tracking his movements and sharing updates with the community.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, MCP workers were called in after Neil refused to budge from the middle of a nearby street.<\/p>\n
Two workers, one armed with a board and another with a stick, were seen whacking and shoving Neil as the animal reared up and lashed around.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll they needed to do is get a big traffic cone to lure him off the road \u2026 but, no, they want to whack him,\u201d influencer Jason Howlett, who runs a popular Neil the Seal TikTok page, says in the footage<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t agree with it. They\u2019re trying to get him back on the beach and then they\u2019re going to electric fence the track to keep Neil on the beach. I would have used the traffic cone to lure him without hitting him.\u201d<\/p>\n Neil the Seal is known to have a particular fascination<\/a> with orange traffic cones.<\/p>\n The battle continued for around two minutes before Neil finally conceded defeat and shuffled towards the pavement, to cheers from the crowd.<\/p>\n \u201cThere he goes,\u201d Howlett says. \u201cWell done, boys!\u201d<\/p>\n Sharing the clip on TikTok, Howlett asked followers their thoughts on Neil\u2019s \u201croadside removal\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWatching the rangers use boards and sticks and guiding tools to shift him can look pretty jarring if you don\u2019t know the protocol behind it,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a stark reminder of how incredibly difficult it is to manage a massive wild animal who treats the local public roads like his personal mattress. <\/p>\n \u201cWhat are your thoughts on how the state handles him? Is it time for better strategies to keep him away from high-traffic infrastructure entirely, or do you think these temporary roadside escorts are the only viable option we\u2019ve got? Let\u2019s keep the discussion respectful in the comments.\u201d<\/p>\n The feedback from viewers was overwhelmingly negative.<\/p>\n \u201cPoor Neil he is so upset. Stop being mean to Neil!\u201d one wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re not doing a very good job,\u201d another said.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t even watch this,\u201d a third wrote.<\/p>\n Neil fans said he was being \u201cantagonised\u201d and \u201charassed\u201d, with one calling the footage \u201cdisgusting\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cYou should never hit an animal. Ever,\u201d one wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cSuch an aggressive response to this situation,\u201d a second agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cMarine conservation and they have no f**king idea. Leave him the f**k alone,\u201d another wrote.<\/p>\n One argued that MCP \u201cshould know Neil by now and how to move him\u201d. \u201cIt\u2019s not their first rodeo,\u201d she said. \u201cI definitely don\u2019t agree with the electric fence. He\u2019s going to wind up getting hurt. Or they will when he gets aggressive. I don\u2019t see that ending well at all.\u201d<\/p>\n Another agreed that \u201cthis is just going to make him have aggression issues towards humans and make him dangerous\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cThis is the opposite of the way that this should be handled,\u201d she said. \u201cKindness and care for the animal, not fear and abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n The Department of Natural Resources and Environment has been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n