Bumping bollards, destroying fences, biting traffic cones — 'Mischief Seal' Neil Goes Viral in Australia

Neil, the 'celebrity seal' near Hobart, Tasmania, has finally returned to the sea after weeks of ‘wreaking havoc’ on Seven Mile Beach.

This male elephant seal, weighing up to 1 ton, went viral online over the past few weeks thanks to a series of ‘naughty behaviors’, including knocking down roadside bollards, destroying fences, and chewing on traffic cones, which made people around the world both love and laugh at him.

A fan commented on Instagram: “Neil the seal is a global treasure.”

Another fan even said: “Seeing Neil updates every day is one of my greatest pleasures in life.”

However, this seal, now famous around the world, almost never got the chance to arrive in this world.

Almost drowned at birth, rescued by experts in time

The story goes back to October 2020.

At that time, wildlife experts were notified that a newborn elephant seal pup had been found on the Tasman Peninsula.

Weighing only 40 kilograms, the pup was found lying on a tidal sandbar in a very dangerous situation.

Dr. Kris Carlyon, a wildlife expert with the Tasmanian Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), said that if the team hadn't immediately moved Neil to a safe place, he would most likely have died.

“That day, he definitely would have drowned,” Dr. Carlyon said.

Innately attached to his birthplace, returns to Hobart twice a year

Elephant seals usually live in sub-Antarctic islands in the Southern Ocean and are highly social animals.

But because elephant seals naturally return to where they are born, Neil has returned to the coastal area of Hobart twice every year since he was born.

And every time he returns, he gets bigger and bolder.

As he grows, Neil’s fanbase continues to increase.

Gemma Blackwood, a media lecturer at the University of Tasmania, said that Neil has a large following on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

She believes that the reason for Neil’s popularity is not just his size but his unique ‘personality’.

“He brings happiness to many people, whether local, national, or even worldwide.”

Australian-style ‘larrikin’ personality, a source of joy for people

Neil’s charm isn’t limited to the internet.

Over the past few weeks, thousands of people have visited the beach where he hangs out, with some even flying in from other states across Australia just to catch a glimpse of this ‘internet celebrity seal’.

Onlooker Harrison Smith joked:

“He has that typical Aussie larrikin vibe.”

“He’s just a one-ton seal, freely knocking down fences and doing whatever he wants.”

“He’s an idol.”

Another visitor, Mike Warren, said that Neil brings people together, becoming a unique presence that connects one person to another.