@mangoesandcreamlive<\/a> Instagram account.<\/p>\n“I think people can relate to him,” Creamer said.<\/p>\n
“A lot of people have said he’s like the animal version of [themselves].”<\/p>\n
Warning issued as Neil attracts crowds<\/p>\n
But authorities are concerned that Neil’s popularity could become problematic.<\/p>\n
Since his recent return to Tasmania, onlookers have been gathering at his coastal location each day.<\/p>\n
Tasmania’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment said some people are failing to heed warnings to stay at least 20 metres away.<\/p>\n
“Certainly, over the last week, there have been hundreds of people in attendance and possibly thousands visiting over the course of a day,” wildlife biologist Sam Thamman from the department’s Marine Conservation Program told 936 ABC Hobart.<\/p>\n
“So there’s a lot of attention.<\/p>\n
“And sometimes there’s some unwarranted attention towards Neil and some behaviours that we try to discourage.”<\/p>\n
Thamman said there had been reports of some people taking selfies within a few metres of the Neil, and occasions where children and dogs have got too close.<\/p>\n
“This is really poor behaviour,” he said.<\/p>\n
If Neil were in a colony, the 1000-kilogram seal would normally be play-fighting with other seals.<\/p>\n
Thamman said there was a real risk of injury if Neil were to behave in a similar way in a public space.<\/p>\n
“It’s very dangerous to both the members of the public and it places the long survival of Neil as an elephant seal visiting our shores in great jeopardy as well.”<\/p>\n
When large wild animals have caused concerns overseas, authorities have sometimes taken drastic action to ensure public safety.<\/p>\n
One notable example was a 600-kilogram walrus called Freya, who was euthanised by Norwegian authorities in 2022.<\/p>\n
“There’s Freya, the walrus, and many other circumstances in the northern hemisphere where such large, powerful animals have not been tolerated by society and they have been euthanised,” Thamman said.<\/p>\n
“Now, I’ll make it very clear that that is not our management approach, but we need the help of society.<\/p>\n
“We need the help of members of the public to appreciate Neil, but not feel the desire to be in his face, not feel the desire to need to have a selfie with him, to appreciate him for what he is and where he is and know that he exists without the desire to be there in front of him.”<\/p>\n
Premier reiterates safety message<\/p>\n
Premier Jeremy Rockliff acknowledged the popularity of Neil, but said safety was paramount.<\/p>\n
“He has a lot of social media activity when it comes to Neil the seal,” Rockliff said.<\/p>\n
“It’s certainly sparked the attention and imagination of many people both in Tasmania and abroad.<\/p>\n
“[But] we need to be very mindful of Neil the seal and keep a very close watch with respect to the proximity of Neil.<\/p>\n
“And we need to be very mindful of leaving Neil alone to go about his daily routine.”<\/p>\n
In addition to staying more than 20 metres away from Neil, authorities say dogs should always be leashed and at least 50 metres from the seal.<\/p>\n
They also say people should not engage with Neil or try to get his attention.<\/p>\n