Tasmania’s only known resident elephant seal has been evicted from a popular beach after taking up residence ashore.
Known affectionately as Neil, the three-tonne seal surprised locals during the week with a visit to Kingston Beach in Hobart.
Conservationists, wildlife biologists and a veterinarian moved the seal to “a more secluded location” to ensure his safety on April 28.
Locals were asked to keep their distance until the juvenile southern elephant seal made its way back to sea.
“Sadly, some people have not taken this advice and have continued to gather close to the seal, dogs have been brought to the area, and the department received reports of people harassing the seal,” the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania said in a statement on April 28….