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Australian officials ask fans to respect the privacy of Neil, a trouble-making seal

NPR
July 3, 2026 at 6:39 AM
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Australian officials ask fans to respect the privacy of Neil, a trouble-making seal

The 5-year-old seal has a social media following twice the size of Tasmania's population, and his antics include bending traffic bollards and blocking roads.

In this photo provided by Sam Volker Photography, Neil the Seal, a 1,000 kg (2,200 pound) elephant seal, plays with a traffic cone in Tasmania, Australia, on June 27, 2026.

The 5-year-old seal has a social media following twice the size of Tasmania's population, and his antics include bending traffic bollards and blocking roads.

(Image credit: Sam Volker Photography)