Andrew Lewin interviews Sophia Volzke, an expert on elephant seals, specifically focusing on Neil the seal, who has become a viral sensation on TikTok. They discuss Neil's behavior, his interaction with humans, and the questions surrounding his safety and return to the ocean. They also touch on the broader topic of elephant seal conservation in Tasmania. Sophia shares her background and journey from Germany to Australia, where she studied marine biology.

Tune in to learn more about Neil the Seal and the fascinating world of elephant seal conservation.

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Chapters:

[00:00:08] Neil the seal.

[00:06:27] Pursuing education abroad.

[00:09:11] Studying marine biology in Australia.

[00:14:04] Interest in mathematics and statistics.

[00:18:05] Unique approach to studying marine mammals.

[00:22:05] Unique perspective on postgraduate world.

[00:27:16] Climate influences on population.

[00:33:07] Elephant seal size.

[00:35:32] Neil the seal's viral fame.

[00:40:24] Neil's GPS tracker

[00:44:30] Seal encounters and beach safety.

[00:49:35] Neil's fascination with pylons.

[00:53:41] Neil the Seal's popularity.

[00:56:48] Marine mammal conferences.