A southern elephant seal known as Neil has grown substantially larger this year while also attracting greater public attention. The five-and-a-half-year-old animal returns annually to beaches near Hobart, Australia, to molt. This season he weighs around 1,000 kilograms, far exceeding his size as a young pup comparable to a traffic cone. Neil now has 1.4 million followers on TikTok. He moves through urban areas with notable speed for his size, often resting on roads, in yards, or against barriers. During molting, he rubs against objects including traffic cones placed for safety. Wildlife officials from Tasmania’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment monitor his movements and use non-harmful methods to redirect him from hazardous locations. They advise maintaining at least 20 meters distance from the seal. Experts note that as he matures, he may become more territorial, requiring greater caution from observers.
