Federal officials investigate after a video appears to show a person kicking a California sea lion

Federal authorities are looking into a disturbing incident at La Jolla Cove in San Diego. A video circulating on social media appears to show an individual repeatedly kicking a California sea lion, while bystanders are heard laughing in the background. The footage shows the person following the animal as it attempts to retreat across the sand.

This behavior has drawn swift condemnation. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria posted on social media to call the incident a disgusting act of animal cruelty and confirmed that he has ordered local law enforcement to assist in the review of the footage. The investigation is active and led by officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Sea lions are protected species under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. Current federal guidelines mandate that the public maintains a distance of at least 50 feet from these animals. Harassment or physical abuse of marine mammals violates these legal standards. The individual involved in the video has not yet been identified by the authorities.