Neil the Seal TikTok fan launches GoFundMe for $1200 Parks and Wildlife fine

He is the loveable larrikin of Tasmania’s marine and coastal areas. But one fan’s close encounters with southern elephant seal Neil has had a hefty hidden price tag. Find out what happened.

Neil the Seal on-land in early 2024. Picture: TikTok

A Tasmanian man has pledged to fight a $1200 Parks and Wildlife Service infringement notice issued over disturbing Tasmanian marine icon Neil the Seal.

Jason Howlett runs a Neil the Seal TikTok page sharing clips of the 600kg southern elephant seal’s on-land adventures of Tasmania.
However, one of his latest close-ups has scored Mr Howlett a $1212 fine from the state’s Parks and Wildlife Service.

The fine is made up of a $808 fine for disturbing wildlife on Reserve land and a $404 fine for trespassing on Reserve land with restricted access.

Mr Howlett’s fine and story have been shared on a GoFundMe page, where he has already raised half the costs to cover the fine.

Jason Howlett and Neil the Seal. Picture: TikTok

The fine arose from a November 30 incident where Mr Howlett attended a southern Tasmanian beach where Neil had settled and filmed and posted the encounter on his TikTok.

However, Mr Howlett thinks the fine is unfair and that he did not violate any rules.

“Parks believe I was on private land when it was a public beach,” Mr Howlett said.

“I did not see any signs at all and the road was blocked by a local who lives just up from the beach.

“I never said where Neil was and only gave Neil his beloved traffic cones to play with to try and keep him out of mischief.”

Local residents also argued about Mr Howlett’s presence on the beach before he left.

Neil the Seal in Tasmania in 2024. Picture: TikTok

He then had a visit from Parks and Wildlife staff who issued the infringement notice and ordered Mr Howlett not to approach Neil.

“I’ve been doing this for two and a half years now and I have not had one complaint, from the public or Parks,” Mr Howlett said.

“I have nothing but respect for Neil’s boundaries and have educated the general public to do so and I have never disclosed his location on my TikTok.

@neiltheseal316

Reuniting with Neil the Seal after a few weeks. What a beautiful boy he is 🦭 #swimming#happy#content#neiltheseal @Jaycee

♬ original sound - Neil the Seal 🦭

“I have never tried to make money out of Neil and I have never wanted to.”

In May this year, Marine Conservation Program (MCP) wildlife biologists from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tasmania) urged Tasmanians to not share Neil’s location or get too close to him, stating they could “love him to death”.

Neil has previously had to be sedated and relocated following a trip ashore that posed a risk to both him and the public, with sedation posing risks to Neil’s health.

An NRE Tasmania spokesperson said wildlife infringements were issued when necessary to manage and protect wildlife on reserve land or in response to public concerns.

“Infringements can be issued for a deliberate act contrary to regulations or where educational avenues have been exhausted,” the spokesperson said.

“Members of the public should follow instructions of staff and signage at all times.

“Management of wildlife and natural values is carried out by trained and experienced staff and despite good intentions members of the public should not intervene.”

Dating back to the beginning of 2023, NRE Tasmania has issued 13 infringement notices relating to wildlife offences, such as taking protected wildlife or possessing protected wildlife.