Investigation Underway After Sea Lion Assault Video Emerges

Federal wildlife authorities are looking into a video that appears to show someone kicking a protected sea lion on a California beach. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has confirmed an investigation but has not provided further details as of Sunday.

The video shows a person kicking a sea lion at La Jolla Cove, San Diego. At least one bystander can be heard laughing. The person continues to kick the sea lion as it attempts to escape.

“NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement is investigating reports of a video on social media showing an interaction between an individual and a sea lion, allegedly at La Jolla Cove,” stated a NOAA spokesperson. “The individual appears to be kicking the sea lion. This is an ongoing investigation with no further details available currently.”

Only four enforcement officers cover the entire state of California, according to NOAA. They rely heavily on local park rangers and California Fish and Wildlife for enforcement at the cove, CBS affiliate KFMB reported.

Ashley Hurwitz, a volunteer with the Seal Society, stated, “There are rangers here, but we’re volunteers and can’t be here constantly, nor can we enforce regulations.” The person in the video has not been publicly identified.

Sea lions enjoy federal protection under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Harassment can lead to civil fines up to $36,000 and a year in prison. NOAA advises people to stay at least 50 feet away from these protected animals.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria condemned the act in a post on X, calling it “a disgusting act of animal cruelty.” He directed local law enforcement to assess the footage.

A sea lion was seen resting at La Jolla beach, as captured by Annika Hammerschlag on December 3, 2025. The Sierra Club’s Seal Society estimates 10 sea lion pup deaths have occurred at La Jolla Cove this year, linking them to mothers abandoning their pups due to human interference.

Previously, a tourist in Maui was arrested in May after throwing a coconut-sized rock at a Hawaiian monk seal, another protected species. His lawyer claimed he was aiming to defend sea turtles.