Teen tourist sets seal on Gisborne

By ANNE BESTON

Like a youngster on his OE, Homer the sea elephant exhibits fairly typical adolescent behaviour - he sleeps all day, has a voracious appetite and just cannot seem to stay out of trouble.

The southern elephant seal, named after the bumbling head of television cartoon family The Simpsons, has become one of Gisborne's biggest entertainment attractions since he took over the Port of Gisborne's boat-ramp 16 days ago.

But while the 5m-long animal likes the free food, he is less keen on all the attention.

"It's a classic case of a wild animal and people not showing enough respect," said Department of Conservation officer Jamie Quirk.

"Ninety-five per cent of the people coming down there are just rapt to see him. He's a neat animal. But others stand their kids next to him to take a photograph or sit really close to him - just brain-dead behaviour."

The department is so worried that either Homer or one of his visitors will be hurt that they have assigned him a bodyguard.

"We've got so many signs down there it looks like a real-estate agent's - asking people to keep at least 10m away, not to touch him and not to feed him."

So far two cars, a van, a 44-gallon drum (squashed like a soft-drink can, according to onlookers), a steel pole and a local woman are all the worse for wear after run-ins with the sea elephant.

"One of the cars had a dog in it and he went after it, stoving the door in," said Mr Quirk.

"Last Wednesday a woman sat down and sang him a song but he didn't like that either. Three guys had to drag him off her even though he can only move 5m before having to stop for a breather."

Department staff say Homer weighs about 1800kg - the same as a small truck. Boaties, particularly dinghy-owners, are being encouraged to use other ramps.

Homer is the second sea elephant in the past two years to visit Gisborne. The species breed on sub-Antarctic islands such as Campbell Island.

Mr Quirk said the department had telephoned sea elephant experts in the United States and South Africa for information on Homer and his likely departure date.

"Basically he'll leave when he feels like it."