Neil the seal has new management plan unveiled
Tasmania's favourite southern elephant seal Neil attracts a large following when he comes ashore in the state's south-east — and new rules have now been unveiled that aim to better protect not only Neil but other members of his species.
Neil the southern elephant seal, a resident of Tasmania, has been a social media sensation since his birth in October 2020. The Tasmanian government has unveiled a new management plan to protect Neil and ensure his safety, as well as the safety of the community. The plan includes a minimum approach distance of 30 metres when Neil is on land, and requires onlookers to stay at least that far away from him.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff emphasized the importance of respecting Neil's safety, stating that the government wants to protect both Neil and the community. An interim protection order under the Threatened Species Protection Act has been issued, providing additional legal protections for southern elephant seals and their habitat in key coastal areas of southern Tasmania. This order includes a minimum approach distance of 30 metres, requirements for controlling dogs and parking vehicles, and restrictions on drones.
Compliance action may be taken for unlawful disturbance, harassment, or interference with an elephant seal. Since his last haul out in June and July, Neil weighed around 1,000 kilograms and is estimated to weigh more than 3,000 kilograms as an adult male. Neil has garnered significant support, with 110,326 people signing a petition in favor of restricted access zones around his habitats and fines for getting too close.
The new management plan, while developed in response to Neil, will also apply to other southern elephant seals. Environment Minister Guy Barnett stated that the plan was informed by scientific advice and consultation with various stakeholders. The plan comes after the premier initially ruled out strengthening Tasmanian laws, but now recognizes the need for clear guidelines and guardrails to protect wildlife, not just Neil.
The Greens MP Cecily Rosol expressed commitment to assessing the management plan in consultation with communities to ensure its effectiveness in keeping Neil the seal safe. Neil's popularity has led to commercial exploitation, prompting the Tasmanian government to trademark the "Neil the Seal" identity to manage commercial use of the brand and protect conservation and animal welfare messages.
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