NOAA Investigates Sea Lion Assault at San Diego's La Jolla Cove

A video showing a man repeatedly kicking a sea lion at La Jolla Cove in San Diego has gone viral and prompted a federal investigation. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Law Enforcement is leading the probe under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which bars harassment of protected marine mammals and carries penalties of up to $36,500 in fines and one year of imprisonment.

Mayor Todd Gloria and Councilmember Joe LaCava condemned the incident, urging visitors to keep a safe distance from the animals and follow posted guidelines. Sierra Club Seal Society chair Robyn Davidoff called the attack a “severe case of assault” and called for the perpetrator to be held accountable.

Authorities note that sea lion populations at La Jolla Cove have been growing, and park rangers regularly provide safety information to visitors. The investigation aims to identify the individual in the video and enforce federal wildlife protection laws.