Investigation Launched After Video Shows Sea Lion Kicking Incident in California

Federal wildlife authorities are currently investigating a video that appears to show an individual kicking a protected sea lion on a California beach. A spokesperson for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed the ongoing investigation but did not provide further details.

The video, captured at La Jolla Cove in San Diego, shows an individual kicking the sea lion while at least one other person is heard laughing. The individual continues the attack as the sea lion attempts to escape.

NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement is investigating reports of a video on social media that shows an interaction between an individual and sea lion, allegedly in La Jolla Cove, said a NOAA spokesperson. In the video, the individual appears to be kicking the sea lion. This is an ongoing investigation, and we cannot provide further details at this time.

According to NOAA, there are only four enforcement officers for the entire state of California. The agency works with local park rangers and California Fish and Wildlife to maintain enforcement presence.

Ashley Hurwitz, a Seal Society volunteer, explained, There are rangers here, and then we are also here, but we’re just volunteers, so we can’t be here at all times, and we can’t really enforce anything like that.

The person in the video has not been identified publicly. Sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Harassment of sea lions can result in civil penalties up to $36,000 and a year of imprisonment.

NOAA guidelines advise people to stay at least 50 feet away from sea lions, seals, and other protected species.

In response to the incident, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria expressed his outrage on social media, calling the act disgusting animal cruelty. He stated that he instructed local law enforcement to review the footage.

The Sierra Club’s Seal Society reported that ten sea lion pup deaths occurred at La Jolla Cove this year, linked to mothers abandoning their pups due to human interference.

Previously, in May, a tourist was arrested in a separate incident when he was seen throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in Maui. His lawyer later argued the tourist acted to protect sea turtles.