NOAA probes video of sea lion assault at La Jolla Cove

A disturbing video showing an apparent attack on a California sea lion has sparked renewed calls for stronger protections at La Jolla Cove in San Diego. The footage, which circulated online on July 25, appears to show a person repeatedly kicking a sea lion near Point La Jolla during nighttime hours, an incident wildlife advocates describe as an intentional assault on a protected animal during peak pupping season.

The video has been reported to the Office of Law Enforcement at NOAA Fisheries, which is now investigating the incident. The agency enforces the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits harassing, touching, or chasing marine mammals and can lead to civil fines of tens of thousands of dollars and up to a year in prison.

Local volunteers and advocacy groups, including the Sierra Club Seal Society, have long urged the city to implement more robust safeguards. They argue the current measures are insufficient, especially after dark. While the city has installed larger warning signs and increased daytime ranger patrols, volunteers note that many risky encounters occur at night when enforcement presence is minimal. Advocates are calling for clearly marked safe viewing...