Tasmania's 1,000kg seal celebrity tests crowds and safety rules
Neil the southern elephant seal, about 1,000 kg, hauls out on Tasmanian beaches twice a year, attracting crowds and a viral following; he can dive to 2,000 metres and stay underwater for hours, but as he grows toward a possible 3,500 kg, authorities emphasize a 20-metre safety buffer, keeping sea access open, and reporting misbehavior while welfare plans for large predators are developed (with euthanasia a remote possibility if he harms someone).
