Neil the elephant seal leaves behind his viral episode in Tasmania and safely returns to the sea

Neil, the elephant seal that became a social media phenomenon after blocking roads, damaging signs and drawing hundreds of curious onlookers in Tasmania, has returned to the sea after spending several weeks on shore.

According to a statement from Tasmania’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Neil’s return to the sea went smoothly.

“Neil returned safely to the sea last night. This is her normal behavior and it was expected,” the authorities said in their statement, adding that the possibility of her coming ashore again in the coming days cannot be ruled out.

Neil is a five-year-old elephant seal weighing about one ton, which comes ashore twice a year in southern Tasmania to rest and molt. During this period, videos of her knocking over signs and poles and lying in the road to sunbathe spread quickly, racking up millions of views on social media.

The strong public interest forced authorities to put special safety measures in place. Visitors were asked to stay at least 20 meters away from the animal, while dogs had to be kept at a minimum distance of 50 meters. It was also announced that euthanasia would be considered only as a last resort if public safety could not be guaranteed.

Authorities said there were also cases in which people approached Neil with small children to take photographs or left food for her, actions that were described as dangerous.

To manage the situation, the local council deployed security guards 24 hours a day and temporarily changed traffic circulation in the area, while also calculating the damage caused by the seal.

Wildlife experts explain that Neil’s strikes against signs, poles and other objects are part of the typical behavior of elephant seals of this age, which usually play and “challenge” one another in this way.

Neil was born in southern Tasmania and is considered one of the first elephant seal pups born in this area, after the population of this species disappeared at the beginning of the 19th century as a result of hunting. The elephant seal is currently listed as a vulnerable species in Australia.

“We will continue to monitor him, but for now Tasmania’s signs and traffic cones can breathe easy. We thank everyone who treated Neil with respect and care during the time he was on land,” said Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliffe.