AI Generated Image
Video appears to show a person kicking sea lion on San Diego beach; NOAA investigating
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- Federal wildlife authorities, including NOAA Fisheries' Office of Law Enforcement, are investigating a video showing a person kicking a protected sea lion at La Jolla Cove in San Diego, California.
- The incident violates the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits harassment of sea lions and carries penalties of up to $36,000 and a year in prison.
- Enforcement resources are limited, with only four NOAA officers covering California and reliance on local park rangers and volunteers who cannot enforce regulations at all times.
- San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria condemned the act as animal cruelty and has directed local law enforcement to review the footage amid the ongoing federal investigation.
- The Sierra Club's Seal Society reports increased sea lion pup deaths at La Jolla Cove, attributing some to human interference causing mothers to abandon their pups.
