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Neil the seal causes chaos at Tasmanian petrol station as experts warn Australians to stay away
7NEWS • • world
Key Points:
- Neil, a five-and-a-half-year-old southern elephant seal weighing around 1000kg, has been causing disruptions at a Tasmanian petrol station by climbing on vehicles and rocking them, exhibiting play-fighting behavior due to isolation.
- The seal returned to Tasmania after nearly six months at sea, drawing significant public attention and crowds, which wildlife officials warn can be both beneficial for awareness and potentially harmful if it leads to risky human interactions or endangers Neil.
- Neil's unusual behavior stems from the lack of other seals in Tasmania, leading him to redirect natural play and strength-testing behaviors toward inanimate objects like cars and bollards.
- Experts caution that while Neil's fame raises awareness about threatened species, there is a risk of "loving Neil to death" if interactions are not managed carefully to protect both the seal and the public.
- Born on the Tasman Peninsula in 2020, Neil's mother likely got lost en route to the Macquarie Island colony, resulting in his solitary existence away from a typical elephant seal colony.
