Neil, a 1,000 kg (about 2,200-pound) juvenile male elephant seal, has returned to the Australian stretch of coast where he was born for his twice-yearly stop on land—prompting disruption and damage wherever he chooses to rest. During his latest visit to southern Tasmania, officials say he has caused problems for local infrastructure, including hitting barriers meant to keep him off roads and bringing traffic to a standstill when he lies in the way.

Authorities say their biggest concern isn’t the seal’s behavior toward people, but what his online fame can lead to. They warned that fans may approach too closely for photos and are urging the public not to share his exact location. Local officials also cautioned that an encounter between Neil and an admirer could become dangerous for both sides and might require a risky operation to move him.

Experts say Neil’s aggressive or mischievous antics are typical for young male elephant seals learning dominance behavior. But officials stress that the best way to help is to keep distance and reduce crowding—because, they warned, growing “love” for the seal could also escalate into harm and a forced outcome if safety risks rise.