Daijiworld Media Network - San Diego
San Diego, Jul 26: US federal authorities have launched an investigation after a video circulating on social media allegedly showed a man kicking and harassing a protected sea lion at a city-operated beach in San Diego.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries' Office of Law Enforcement said it is investigating reports related to the video, which appears to show an individual repeatedly kicking a sea lion as it attempts to escape.
"In the video, the individual appears to be kicking the sea lion," NOAA Fisheries spokesperson Rachel Hager said, adding that the investigation is ongoing and no further details could be released.
The video, first reported by NBC San Diego, allegedly shows a young man approaching the sea lion while it was resting near a seawall at La Jolla Cove before repeatedly kicking and following the animal. The identity of the individual has not been made public, and the social media accounts believed to have shared the footage have reportedly been deleted.
According to authorities, the incident is believed to have occurred on Wednesday night near La Jolla Cove, where large numbers of sea lions gather during the pupping season.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria condemned the alleged incident, saying he had directed the city's police department to review the video.
"This disgusting act of animal cruelty is unacceptable. We must protect our wildlife," Gloria said in a post on X.
The San Diego Police Department had earlier advised members of the public who reported the video to contact NOAA, which has jurisdiction over protected marine mammals.
The Sierra Club Seal Society also said it had reported the incident to authorities. Its chair, Robyn Davidoff, called for the individual responsible to be prosecuted, describing the alleged act as unacceptable.
Sea lions are protected under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits harassment or harm to marine mammals. Violations can attract fines of more than $30,000 per offence and possible imprisonment.
The city of San Diego has implemented several measures to safeguard sea lions at La Jolla Cove, including restricting public access to certain areas during pupping season, banning dogs and installing warning signs urging visitors not to approach the animals.
Despite these measures, clashes between visitors and sea lions have occasionally been reported. Earlier this year, park rangers intervened after children were allegedly seen throwing sand and rocks at sea lions at the same location.
In a separate case, a visitor to Maui is facing federal charges for allegedly harassing an endangered Hawaiian monk seal. The accused has pleaded not guilty, and the case is awaiting trial.