Tasmanian wildlife workers have defended their makeshift methods of removing a popular seal that was blocking traffic.
Neil the seal, a southern elephant seal that is often spotted around the region south-east of Hobart, was found ashore in the middle of the street in Primrose Sands on Wednesday.
Wildlife staff used a padded pole and board to usher Neil off the road. @neiltheseal316
Workers from Tasmania’s Marine Conservation Program (MCP) were called in to remove the 1000-kilogram marine animal and were filmed using padded poles to prod him and a wooden board to usher him away from the road and back to the beach.
Jason, who runs the Neil the seal social media pages, said it was uncomfortable to see the wildlife staff “hit” the animal.
Jason told nine.com.au there is an “uproar” in the local community following Wednesday’s incident.
“The general feeling of the public is outraged, many people have made complaints,” Jason said.
He previously helped lure Neil off the road using traffic cones and regularly has interactions with the beloved animal.
“Neil the seal has become a deeply cherished figure in southern Tasmania because his regular coastal visits embody the unique, sometimes chaotic, and close-knit relationship between Tasmanian communities and their local wildlife,” he added.
“It amazes me how many people are actually infatuated with this seal.
“And millions of people are willing to fight for his safety.”
Jason, the owner of a popular TikTok page dedicated to Neil the seal. Supplied
Jason shared footage of Wednesday’s interaction between wildlife staff and Neil on Facebook.
“I don’t agree with it. They’re trying to get him back on the beach and then they’re going to electric fence the track to keep Neil on the beach,” he said in the footage.
“I would have used the traffic cone to lure him without hitting him.”
Jason acknowledged the sheer size of Neil made it difficult for the workers to easily move him to safety, however added it was “jarring” to see their method.
“It’s 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,” he said.
A spokesperson for Tasmania’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment said that MCP staff were using “safe, approved” methods of relocating the seal and that it did not harm him.
Tasmania’s Marine Conservation Program (MCP) defended the method. @neiltheseal316
Neil – born in Salem Bay on the Tasman Peninsula in 2020 – has quickly grown and is now tipping the scales at one tonne.
“It is not possible to leave him in place, as this puts him at risk of being hit by a vehicle and creates a safety hazard for drivers and pedestrians,” the spokesperson added.
“Neil is now estimated to weigh around 1000kg, and even small movements from a large wild animal can cause serious injury.
“As a subadult, his behaviour has changed, and techniques used during previous visits have been updated to ensure everyone’s safety.
“The use of padded poles, boards and noise to encourage large wildlife to move isa standard, internationally recognised approach used by trained wildlife experts.”
Neil was eventually removed from the road and back to safety on Wednesday.
The famous seal has been spotted lounging on the road and chewing traffic cones over the past five years.
His movements around south-east Tasmania have been documented on a TikTok account run by Jason, which has attracted 1.4 million followers.
Neil is a southern elephant seal, an endangered species. @neiltheseal22
Fans share images and footage of Neil’s whereabouts with Jason whenever they spot him in public.
The department warned locals and visitors to always stay at least 20 metres away from Neil and other southern elephant seals.
“Neil is a southern elephant seal, an endangered species, and we all have a role to support wildlife experts in protecting his wellbeing,” the spokesperson added.
“Male southern elephant seals naturally engage in play fighting, and without a colony in Tasmania, Neil can be drawn to busy areas in search of interaction.”