Instead of sticking to beaches, he wanders into towns, takes naps in the middle of roads, flattens traffic cones, lounges in people's front yards, and occasionally climbs onto cars because...he can.
At around 1,500 pounds, nobody's exactly volunteering to argue with him.
The funny thing is, this isn't new.
Neil has been visiting the same communities for several years, and the locals know him well. Every time he shows up, social media fills with updates on where he's decided to spend the day. Wildlife volunteers, police, and neighbours all pitch in to keep people at a safe distance while Neil gets the uninterrupted nap he's apparently entitled to.
Having a 1,500 pound seal wander through town isn't exactly cheap either. Over the years, Neil has crushed fences, flattened traffic barriers, damaged gardens, dented cars, and generally left a trail of expensive repairs behind him. It's estimated his adventures have cost tens of thousands of dollars. Yikes!
And yet... People still love him.❤️
Why? Because everyone understands Neil isn't trying to cause trouble. He's just looking for a safe place to rest while he molts, a process where elephant seals shed their fur and outer layer of skin. This requires massive amounts of blood flow to the skin, forcing them ashore to avoid freezing, so they spend a lot of time sleeping to conserve energy.
The real issue isn't Neil. It's that the places wildlife once had to themselves increasingly overlap with the places we live.
Stories like Neil's are funny because they're unexpected. But they're also a reminder that we're sharing this planet with some pretty incredible neighbours.
Enjoy my toddler's favourite video of Neil 🚧 🦭
