A one-tonne southern elephant seal named Neil, a social media sensation whose beachside antics have drawn millions of online views, has returned to the sea after spending several weeks onshore in a quiet coastal town in southern Tasmania. On Thursday, Tasmania's Department of Natural Resources and Environment confirmed the five-year-old had left the area the previous night, describing it as natural, expected behaviour. The story matters because Neil's presence had disrupted the sleepy beach spot, drawing crowds and prompting warnings from wildlife authorities.

The five-year-old, who hauls out at the same Tasmanian spot twice a year, became famous for videos of him crushing signs and poles and lounging on suburban streets. Officials warned the public to keep their distance, noting that euthanasia was a last resort if safety could not be guaranteed, after reports of people approaching him with young children for photos and leaving food for the apex predator. The local council, now tallying up Neil's damage bill, was forced to manage traffic and hire a 24-hour security presence. Authorities said Neil may still return or haul out nearby before heading to southern feeding grounds.