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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration investigates viral video of man kicking protected sea lion at La Jolla Cove

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is investigating a viral social media video showing a man kicking a California sea lion at La Jolla Cove in San Diego. The footage, recorded late Wednesday night, shows an individual harassing and kicking the sea animal while another person laughs in the background. Because sea lions are protected under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, any individual who violates the rules faces potential fines of up to $36,498 or up to one year in prison. Local officials and animal advocates have expressed outrage over the incident. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria called the act of animal cruelty unacceptable, while the Sierra Club Seal Society reported that 50% of the pups born this season have died in the Jolla Cove area, partly due to human interaction. While the San Diego Police Department was not directly notified of the initial incident, the city's park rangers patrol the area daily to educate visitors. NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement is currently reviewing the footage to determine if criminal charges will be filed.

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