Everyone loves seals... well, unless you're a traffic bollard in Hobart, Tasmania.
Neil the Seal has become a bit of an Internet phenomenon ever since he started showing up to the Australian island. He's been affectionately named the rhyming name because he shows up every year to wreak havoc.
What does "havoc" entail? Well, think of it this way. Tasmanian traffic police literally have to cordon Neil off because he decides to lie down in the road. Thousands of dollars of road infrastructure are destroyed in the wake of the elephant seal... because he plays with them like toys.
No, I'm not kidding. There are actually videos of Neil the Seal flopping over bollards and traffic signs. Just because he wants to. I certainly wish I had that level of freedom and "I don't care" attitude, don't you?
But Neil's stay in Hobart isn't a 24/7 ordeal. He has spats of sea life and town life - and while the locals sure seem to love him, he can't stay there forever. As reported by MSN, his latest spat in the capital has ended, and he's gone back to the sea. He'll be back, of course, in about 6 months.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Neil the Seal Might Be Too Famous
Of course, a 2,200-pound elephant seal draws a lot of attention. A lot of people have a sort of parental tendency around Neil. According to a local, he's even been seen in advertising for local insurance ads. But his subsequent virality online draws a lot of questions and concerns about his well-being.
Neil is only five years old, meaning that he's not even close to full size. As he grows bigger and bigger, the damage he leaves in his wake will get more substantial. And people may start traveling to see him, at least if my own thoughts are anything to go by!
So protections need to be made - and they've already begun. He has his own sort of convoy at times when he gets into dangerous places. Videos online show traffic trucks following him back to the beach, where lines were quite literally drawn in the sand to keep him safe.
Despite his virality, one thing remains true - Hobart, Tasmania will always love their Neil the Seal. We just hope he stays as safe as an elephant seal can!
