After weeks hauled out and several days lounging near a beach on Hobart’s eastern shore, Neil the seal appears to have slipped away.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania told Pulse his departure was expected.
“It appears that Neil the seal may have moved on from the area,” a spokesperson said on Thursday.
“This is his natural behaviour and was expected. Neil may return or haul out at another location.”
“The Marine Conservation Program at the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania is currently monitoring the situation and the local area.”
Neil is a southern elephant seal born in southern Tasmania in October 2020.
He came ashore in June for his winter moult, one of two trips he makes to land each year after months spent feeding at sea.
Elephant seals shed their skin and fur in sheets during the moult and must stay dry on land for weeks, fasting the whole time.
Now weighing about a tonne, Neil has become a global social media star, known for sleeping on roads, playing with traffic cones and damaging bollards and fences.
Department secretary Jason Jacobi this week told A Current Affair Neil had become “a much-beloved phenomenon”.
“… We’ll do everything we can to make sure that he’s safe and protected,” he said.
The department is asking people to stay at least 20 metres away from Neil and to keep dogs on a lead at least 50 metres away.
“… Do not touch, feed or approach the seal and avoid blocking the seal’s access to the water,” the spokesperson said.
“If anyone sees Neil, please contact the marine mammal hotline on 0427 WHALES (0427 942 537).”
