US officials investigate video appearing to show man kicking sea lion

Federal wildlife authorities in the United States are investigating an incident captured on video that appears to show a man kicking a sea lion at La Jolla Cove in California. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed an ongoing investigation into the matter.

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NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement is investigating reports of a video on social media that shows an interaction between an individual and sea lion, allegedly in La Jolla Cove.

The video depicts a man approaching a sea lion resting on a seawall, then kicking the animal. Another person recording the event can be heard laughing in the background. NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement is reviewing the footage, stating that further details cannot be released at this time due to the active investigation.

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In the video, the individual appears to be kicking the sea lion. This is an ongoing investigation, and we cannot provide further details at this time.

NOAA reminded the public that sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The agency stressed that any actions to harass, harm, pursue, feed, capture, injure, restrain, or kill marine mammals are subject to penalties, including fines and potential jail time.

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Sea lions are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Actions or attempts to harass, harm, pursue, feed, capture, injure, restrain (no matter how temporarily), or kill may be punishable through fines or jail time.

The San Diego Police Department acknowledged the video, calling the behavior "completely unacceptable" and confirming that federal officials are handling the investigation. Mayor Todd Gloria also condemned the act as "disgusting" animal cruelty and stated he has asked local law enforcement to review the footage, urging for the protection of wildlife.

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This disgusting act of animal cruelty is unacceptable.