Supporters of Tasmania’s famous Neil the seal have reacted angrily to footage of the 1000-kilogram mammal being shoved with a stick to remove him from a road.

The enormous southern elephant seal, who is a popular returning visitor south-east of Hobart, has hauled himself onto land again and is bigger than ever.

Pulse Tasmania reports that Neil was estimated at 600 kilograms in late 2023 and 700 kilograms in 2024, meaning he has gained some 300 kilograms in just a couple of years.

He likes to sunbathe his huge bulk in the middle of roads and has been known to disrupt local traffic while lying in front of cars.

Wildlife workers from Tasmania’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment were called in on Wednesday after Neil set up camp in the middle of a southern Tasmanian street.

In footage posted online, they were seen using a board and padded stick to herd the animal away by poking and hitting him.

Wildlife workers used a board to herd Neil off the road. Photo: TikTok

The department said this was an “internationally recognised approach used by trained wildlife experts” that did not harm the seal.

Influencer Jason Howlett, who runs the Neil the Seal TikTok page, filmed the operation.

“All they needed to do is get a big traffic cone to lure him off the road … but, no, they want to whack him,” he said.

“I don’t agree with it. They’re trying to get him back on the beach and then they’re going to electric fence the track to keep Neil on the beach. I would have used the traffic cone to lure him without hitting him.”

Neil rreportedly has a fascination with orange traffic cones.

The environment department said it was “not possible to leave him in place”.

“This puts him at risk of being hit by a vehicle and creates a safety hazard for drivers and pedestrians,” it said.

“Neil is now estimated to weigh around 1000 kilograms, and even small movements from a large wild animal can cause serious injury.

“As a subadult, his behaviour has changed, and techniques used during previous visits have been updated to ensure everyone’s safety.”

The male seal was born in Salem Bay in 2020 and was tagged on each tail flipper just prior to weaning.

He has been sighted at several locations in southern Tasmania since then.

Tasmania’s environment department’s website says Neil regularly hauls out in human-populated areas and may interact with people.

Elephant seals come ashore to rest and moult after spending extended periods foraging at open sea. They may remain on land for up to four to five weeks but can be dangerous if approached.

They may also become habituated to people, which compromises their long-term survival.