Federal wildlife authorities are looking into an incident captured on video, showing a person kicking a protected sea lion on a California beach. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has confirmed an investigation but did not share further details. The video, filmed at La Jolla Cove in San Diego, shows an individual kicking a sea lion. Laughter can be heard in the background as the person continues to kick the animal as it tries to escape.

NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement is assessing this situation. According to a spokesperson, they are investigating a social media video showing the sea lion interaction. The investigation remains open, and no additional information is available at this time. The agency noted they have only four enforcement officers for all of California. They depend on help from local park rangers and California Fish and Wildlife officials for enforcement at the location.

Ashley Hurwitz, a volunteer with the Seal Society, mentioned that volunteers cannot enforce regulations. This limits their capacity to monitor incidents like this. The person involved in the incident has yet to be identified publicly. Sea lions receive protection under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Harassment of sea lions can lead to severe penalties including fines up to $36,000 and up to a year of imprisonment. NOAA advises maintaining a distance of at least 50 feet from sea lions, seals, and other protected species.

“This disgusting act of animal cruelty is unacceptable,” stated San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. He added that he directed local law enforcement to review the footage while recognizing the federal investigation.

The Sierra Club’s Seal Society estimates that ten sea lion pup deaths have occurred this year at La Jolla Cove, attributing them to human disturbance causing mothers to abandon their pups. In a related incident, a tourist faced arrest in May for reportedly throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in Maui, claimed to be an attempt to protect sea turtles.