NOAA investigates video of man allegedly kicking sea lion at La Jolla beach

Federal wildlife law-enforcement officers are examining a video that surfaced on social media and appears to show a young man repeatedly kicking a sea lion perched on a seawall at La Jolla Cove. The incident is reported to have occurred Wednesday night, according to local authorities.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement confirmed the investigation, with spokesperson Rachel Hager saying the footage shows an interaction in which the individual appears to be kicking the animal. She added that the probe is ongoing and no further details can be released at this time.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria posted on the social platform X that the conduct constitutes animal cruelty and called for protection of wildlife. The San Diego Police Department said it has received tips related to the video and has asked the public to forward any information to NOAA.

The Sierra Club’s Seal Society also reported the case to authorities, and its chair, Robyn Davidoff, said the person responsible should face prosecution, noting that sea lions are protected under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, which carries penalties exceeding $30,000 per violation and possible imprisonment.

City officials have marked sections of the beach as off-limits to visitors and posted signage warning against approaching seals and sea lions, measures that have been reinforced during the pupping season when animal numbers increase. Prior incidents at the same location have involved tourists throwing sand and rocks at the mammals.

Authorities have not yet identified the individual in the video, and the social-media accounts that posted the clip appear to have been removed.