Stay six Neils away: Giant elephant seal causes traffic delays in Australia
Residents in Tasmania, Australia, are being warned to stay "about six Neils away" after a massive southern elephant seal named Neil has been causing unusual traffic delays in the area.
Officials said Neil has been lounging on roads and wandering through neighborhoods.
Since 2020, the 2,200-pound marine mammal has become a local celebrity, drawing crowds from all over the world.
But authorities said Neil is still a wild animal, and the public must admire him from afar.
While he may appear relaxed, he is a large, powerful and potentially dangerous animal that could cause serious injury if approached or startled.
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"Neil's still young, but at six years old and already weighing in at around a ton, he's only going to get bigger, stronger and more territorial as he matures," Mayor Michelle Dracoulis said in a social media post.
Currently, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment's Marine Conservation Program and local council organizations are working to manage traffic and monitor Neil's movements to keep both the seal and the community safe.
Residents are being asked to stay at least 65 feet away, or, as authorities like to say, "about six Neils away."
They are also asking people to keep dogs more than 164 feet away.
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Authorities are asking the public not to interact with him, joking that Neil may mistake the attention as an invitation to play.
"What looks like play now, smashing at cars, fences and garage doors, moving through residential areas, lying on roads and interacting closely with people and pets, has the potential to become genuinely dangerous for residents, visitors and for Neil himself," Mayor Dracoulis wrote.
According to the mayor, Neil has become a part of the community, but his growing size is creating new challenges.
Wildlife experts said Neil's instincts are becoming stronger as he grows.
Southern elephant seals are naturally social animals that can be aggressive and typically live in large colonies, but Neil is navigating life alone in a human environment.
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For now, officials hope residents and visitors will give Neil the space he needs while enjoying the rare opportunity to see the species up close, but from a safe distance.
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