Video Of Person Kicking A Sea Lion On La Jolla Beach Draws Federal Investigation

SAN DIEGO — Federal wildlife authorities are investigating aft a video appeared to show a personification kicking a protected oversea lion astatine a formation successful California.

A spokesperson for nan National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed an ongoing investigation into nan incident but declined to supply further specifications Sunday.

The video appears to show a personification throwing kicks astatine nan oversea lion astatine La Jolla Cove successful San Diego arsenic astatine slightest 1 different personification tin beryllium heard laughing successful nan background. The personification follows nan oversea lion, throwing much kicks astatine nan animal arsenic it tries to scoot away, earlier nan video ends.

“NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement is investigating reports of a video connected societal media that shows an relationship betwixt an individual and oversea lion, allegedly successful La Jolla Cove,” a spokesperson for nan agency said. “In nan video, nan individual appears to beryllium kicking nan oversea lion. This is an ongoing investigation, and we cannot supply further specifications astatine this time.”

The personification successful nan video has not been publically identified.

Sea lions are federally protected nether nan Marine Mammal Protection Act. NOAA’s guidelines opportunity that group should enactment astatine slightest 50 feet distant from oversea lions, seals and different type protected by nan act.

“This disgusting enactment of animal cruelty is unacceptable,” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said successful a station connected X. He acknowledged nan national investigation and said he has directed section rule enforcement to reappraisal nan video.