Wild Moment A giant seal wreaks havoc on the streets of a sleepy resort town when it tries to break into a gas station
- On Friday, the seal took a tour of the small holiday resort
- It went to the only gas station in town
- Hundreds gathered to catch a glimpse of the pinnipeds
- The elephant seal is believed to be a local legend called “Henry”.
A giant seal has run amok in a small holiday town while taking a tour of the local countryside before attempting to break into its only gas station.
The elephant seal made its way ashore on Friday afternoon as locals and holidaymakers in Point Lonsdale, an hour and a half south of Melbourne, gathered on the coast to eye the traveling mammal.
Locals believe the landlubbing seal was none other than ‘Henry’, who has been frequenting beaches in the area for over a decade.
A giant elephant seal (pictured) flapped around the holiday town of Point Lonsdale, Victoria, on Friday afternoon as hundreds crowded to catch a glimpse
Authorities attended the scene and followed the pinniped as it made its way up from the beach and across the streets into town.
Footage of the event, taken by bystanders, showed the seal stopping traffic and working its way to a BP petrol station.
It reportedly attempted to break a window when confused by its own reflection, mistaking it for another seal.
Authorities urged the public to stay at least 30 meters or 50 meters away from the mammal if they had a dog with them.
Police and conservationists were eventually able to lure the confused animal away from the crowd and towards the water by getting it to slowly pounce on a man who backed away towards the water.
It finally complied, slowly gliding into the water off the beach as hundreds gathered for one last look as it disappeared beneath the waves.
The seal – believed to be local legend ‘Henry’ – made his way to the town’s only petrol station and eventually returned to the beach after being guided by authorities
“He walked all the way only to find the place wasn’t open,” one user commented on a video posted online of the seal’s journey.
“What a sight that would have been but I’m glad nothing happened to this guy and he was safely returned to where he belongs,” wrote another commenter.
One user joked about the seal’s enema at BP, saying: “Hi mate can I pay for pump number 2 and get a meat pie to go thanks.”
“Looks like Point Lonsdale got the seal of approval,” wrote another.