An Australian fur seal took the internet by storm when he wandered from an estuary onto the streets of Newstead on Boxing Day. 

Police, who dubbed the animal “Lou-Seal”, managed to secure all 200kgs of the creature when it stopped for a quick nap behind a parked car.

Lou-Seal leapt from a silver Toyota Camry to the vehicle parked directly behind, leaving extensive damage on the Camry’s roof and windscreen, before curling up for a snooze.  

Despite media reports it was the ‘first time’ a seal had ventured so far inland, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Marine Conservation Program wildlife biologist Doctor Rachael Alderman said it wasn’t that uncommon for seals to be found in urban settings during summer because they’re in the midst of their breeding season.

 “Several times a year our offices are called out to remove seals from a strange location,” she said. ​

“The males in particular are often found in unusual sports.”

While seals were not typically aggressive, Dr Alderman stressed they were still wild and unpredictable animals. 

Dr Alderman believed the seal was an older male, making his snooze in the driveway pretty common.

“At this time of year you get several males looking for somewhere quiet because they are at the end of their life,” she said. 

The Newstead family that owned the cars were left in disbelief at the sight of the seal.

Tom Gregory, who was sleeping in the front room and was woken by the seal, rushed into his brother Will's room repeating, 'there is a seal out the front'.

"It looks like [the seal] has slid off the back of the Camry straight onto the Subaru and it practically just jumped off the back of it and hit the concrete," Will said. 

Parks and Wildlife workers tranquillzed the seal, and with the help of Tasmania Police they safely removed the animal about 11am. 

If you encounter marine animals in distress contact the whale hotline on 0427 942 537.

UPDATE 1.35pm:

Tasmanian authorities have spent Boxing Day chasing around a large seal on the loose in Launceston.

Dubbed "Lou-Seal" by Tasmania Police, the creature was seen by residents of Newstead atop a silver Toyota Camry about 6.40am.

In front of onlookers, the animal leapt from the vehicle - leaving behind extensive damage, including a cracked windshield and dents in the car's frame.

The seal, which was believed to have wandered from the estuary, then took a short nap behind the Subaru. 

In disbelief of what happened, Tom Gregory rushed into his brother Will Gregory's room repeating, 'there is a seal out the front'. 

"At first I was like, 'what'," Will said. 

"[The seal] must've decided [the cars] were rocks...it looks like it has crawled on top of the Camry and tried to get over it," he said. 

"Because they were parked quite close, it looks like it has slid off the back of the Camry straight onto the Subaru and it practically just jumped off the back of it and hit the concrete."

Tasmania Police worked with Parks and Wildlife to tranquillize and safely remove the seal.

UPDATE 11.33am:

​Tasmania Police worked with Parks and Wildlife to tranquillize

UPDATE 10.55am:

“Lou-Seal”, as nicknamed by Tasmania Police, which was found wandering the streets of Newstead has been tranquillized.

Parks and Wildlife officers, with the assistance of police, will move Lou-Seal when it is safe.

UPDATE 8.10am:

A wild seal that took refuge on the bonnet of a vehicle in Newstead has stopped for a nap. 

Tasmania Police is at the scene awaiting a member from Parks and Wildlife to safely remove the animal. 

UPDATE 7.43am:

Tasmania Police said officers have the seal secured but are waiting for someone from Parks and Wildlife to safely remove the seal. 

Members of the public are advised not to approach the seal. 

EARLIER:

A seal is on the loose in Newstead. 

Tasmania Police and Parks and Wildlife are working to capture and remove the seal. 

The seal is currently on Penquite Road. 

Police said members of the public should not approach the animal. 

People are advised to remain at a safe distance to avoid agitating the seal and risking harm to themselves or the animal. 

MORE TO COME