Investigation Launched After Sea Lion Kicked at California Beach

Federal wildlife authorities are examining an incident after a video surfaced showing a person kicking a protected sea lion on a Californian beach. A representative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed the investigation but withheld further comments.

The video reveals an individual kicking a sea lion at La Jolla Cove in San Diego, accompanied by laughter from a bystander. The person continues assaulting the animal as it tries to escape, until the video concludes.

“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,” a spokesperson stated. “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.”

NOAA has only four enforcement officers across California, relying on collaboration with local park rangers and California Fish and Wildlife for substantial enforcement presence, according to CBS affiliate KFMB.

“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,” stated Ashley Hurwitz, a Seal Society volunteer.

The individual in the video remains unidentified. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, harassing a sea lion may result in civil penalties up to $36,000 and possible imprisonment for up to a year. NOAA guidelines recommend staying at least 50 feet away from protected marine species.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria condemned the incident on social media, acknowledging the federal investigation and instructing local law enforcement to evaluate the footage.

The Sierra Club’s Seal Society reports ten sea lion pup deaths at La Jolla Cove this year, suggesting that the deaths could be caused by mothers abandoning pups due to human interference.

In a related incident in May, a tourist in Maui was arrested after being filmed throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal. According to his lawyer, his actions aimed to protect sea turtles.