Federal wildlife authorities are investigating a video that appears to show a person kicking a protected sea lion at La Jolla Cove in San Diego. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed the ongoing investigation but declined to provide additional details. The video, which circulated on social media, shows an individual repeatedly kicking the sea lion as it attempts to move away, with at least one other person laughing in the background. NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement stated that the incident is under review, but no further information is available at this time.
The person in the video has not been publicly identified. Sea lions are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and NOAA guidelines recommend maintaining a distance of at least 50 feet (15 meters) from such animals. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria condemned the incident on social media, calling it a "disgusting act of animal cruelty" and directing local law enforcement to review the footage.