The footage, reportedly filmed at La Jolla Cove in San Diego, appears to show an individual throwing repeated kicks at a sea lion as the animal tries to move away. The person follows it, continuing the assault before the video ends. At least one other person can be heard laughing in the background.
The individual in the video has not been publicly identified.
Federal authorities respond
NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement confirmed it is actively investigating the incident.
“In the video, the individual appears to be kicking the sea lion,” a NOAA spokesperson said. “This is an ongoing investigation, and we cannot provide further details at this time.”
Sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, a federal law that also requires people to keep a distance of at least 50 feet from sea lions, seals, and other protected marine mammals.
Local officials speak out
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria did not mince words.
“This disgusting act of animal cruelty is unacceptable,” he wrote on X, adding that he has directed local law enforcement to review the footage alongside the federal investigation.
La Jolla Cove is one of San Diego’s most visited coastal spots, known precisely for its thriving sea lion population. The animals rest on its rocks and shores in full view of the public — a reminder, usually, of how remarkable it is to share a coastline with wild marine life.
What happened here was the opposite of that.