Tasmania's love for a star southern elephant seal named Neil could be doing him more harm than good.
The three-and-a-half-year-old mammal has attracted viral social media attention for his regular forays in coastal towns and love of a scratch on a witches hat.
Neil recently returned safely to the island state's shores but wildlife authorities are tight-lipped about his location.
"Although we understand the temptation to visit Neil, we are asking all members of the public to stay away," state government wildlife biologist Kris Carlyon said on Friday.
"Wild animals are unpredictable and could be dangerous if harassed."
Neil was born on the Tasman Peninsula and weighs about 700kg but will grow to about 3.5 tonnes and five metres in length.
In April 2023, he had to be relocated after people gathered too close and brought dogs. There were also reports he was being harassed.
Neil has since been fitted with a satellite tracker, allowing his movements to be monitored.
"We want to see his life continue to stay wild," Dr Carlyon said.
"It's normal for seals to come ashore to rest and moult after long trips at sea to forage and it's important that seals are left alone to do that."
Tracking revealed Neil spent six months at sea after his relocation, foraging in waters off Tasmania's southwest.
Dr Carlyon said elephant seals were phenomenal divers, spending 90 per cent of their life at sea and reaching depths of more than 1500m.
She said if Neil continued to forage in the southwest he would likely return to Tasmanian shores twice each year, once to moult his skin and fur and once to breed.
"Tasmania is incredibly lucky to have an endangered elephant seal choose to haul out regularly on our shores," Dr Carlyon said.
"Neil's social media popularity (has resulted) in overwhelming numbers of people flocking to see and photograph (him).
"It is important to stress that our natural interest in rare wildlife sightings and desire for interaction can lead to negative outcomes."
