Neil, 2,204-Pound Elephant Seal, Draws Crowds to Tasmania as Viral Fame Spreads
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 10
Neil, 2,204-Pound Elephant Seal, Draws Crowds to Tasmania as Viral Fame Spreads
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 10
Summary
Seven Mile Beach in Tasmania has drawn steady crowds and TV crews as Neil, a 2,204-pound southern elephant seal, returns on his twice-yearly trip to his birthplace.
Millions of views have fueled his surge in fame this year, with videos showing Neil smashing traffic cones and fences, grabbing bollards, bumping cars and phone boxes, or blocking roads.
Merchandise featuring Neil has sold out within hours, turning the hulking, noisy seal into one of Australia’s most recognizable animal celebrities.
On the beach, Neil appeared unfazed by the attention, sleeping for hours beside a fence and repeatedly rattling it with his loud snorts.