Federal Officials Investigate Alleged Harassment of Sea Lion Near La Jolla Cove

San Diego, CA, July 28, 2026 —

Federal authorities are looking into an incident near La Jolla Cove in San Diego after a video surfaced on social media appearing to show an individual kicking and harassing a protected sea lion. The footage has drawn significant attention and condemnation from local officials.

The video, which has been widely shared online, depicts what seems to be a man interacting aggressively with a sea lion on a beach. The incident has prompted an investigation by federal officials, who are working to identify the individual involved and gather more information.

Local officials, including the mayor of San Diego, have publicly denounced the actions shown in the video. The alleged harassment of a protected marine mammal has also spurred calls for the individual to face prosecution. Such actions could be in violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, a federal law enacted to protect all marine mammals within the waters of the United States.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act makes it illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal. Violations can result in significant fines and other penalties. The specific outcomes of the federal investigation, including whether any charges will be filed, have not yet been determined. The identity of the individual in the video has not been publicly released.

Sea lions are a common sight in the La Jolla area, and officials have consistently reminded the public to observe marine wildlife from a safe distance and to avoid any interaction that could disturb or harm the animals. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about human interaction with protected species along the California coast.

Story summarized from the original created by Dennis Romero and Angela Dallman | NBC News on www.nbcsandiego.com, see more information here.

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