A cheeky 600kg seal famous for causing havoc in a small Tassie town is winning hearts around the world.
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The three-year-old Southern Elephant Seal, nicknamed Neil, showed up in Dunalley on Tasmania's southeast coast after first visiting the state in April.
And Neil has made his presence known.
Videos shared online show the massive mammal blocking roads, sunbathing in people's backyards and fighting roadside markers.
In one instance, a local woman reported she wasn't able to go to work as she found Neil taking a nap behind her car.
According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (DNRE), Southern Elephant Seals come ashore for four to five weeks to rest after extended hunting and foraging periods.
His cheeky antics have won over hearts around the world, with one Instagram fanpage having amassed more than 30,000 followers.
"I do believe Neil the Seal from Tasmania has been incorrectly named," one online American commenter observed.
"I think his name should've been Dennis the Menace, he's very amusing."
Authorities warned seals can be dangerous if approached, and becoming too familiar with humans can threaten their long term survival.
There are only nine records of Southern Elephant Seal pups born in Tasmania since 1985.
Neil was born in Salem Bay in 2020, and successfully tagged on each flipper before weaning.
In April, Neil was evicted from a popular Tasmanian beach near Hobart because his presence was attracting too many onlookers.
Marine Conservation Program wildlife biologist Sam Thalmann said in April, 2023, that it was important the seal kept his distance from people.
"Neil is Tasmania's only resident elephant seal and will grow to four to five metres in length and about 3500kg in weight," he said.
"That's a very large animal and potentially dangerous if provoked.
"We want to see Neil reach adulthood and beyond safely so it's critical he doesn't get used to being near humans."
What to do if you seal a seal in Tasmania:
- Keep a 20m distance from seals
- Control dogs on a lead 50m away from seals
- Report Southern Elephant Seal sightings to the to the Whale Hotline (0427 WHALES)
Is Neil putting Tasmania on the map?
Neil's viral fame has also extended to his home state, with new data revealing Americans are trying to find out more about the island state.
Search interest in the size of Tasmania has increased more than 200 per cent since the cheeky elephant seal began dominating newsfeeds across the globe.
"If you don't know where Tasmania is, it's this little island next to Australia ... well it's part of Australia," one American TikTok creator explained to her international audience.
"Everyone in this town recognises (Neil), he just antagonises them. He's so funny."
