Cruel attack on defenseless sea lion sparks outrage as feds launch probe

Federal wildlife authorities are investigating after a viral video appeared to show a man repeatedly kicking a federally protected sea lion while it tried to flee along a Southern California beach. NOAA confirmed its Office of Law Enforcement opened an investigation, saying the clip was allegedly filmed at La Jolla Cove in San Diego. The footage, according to NOAA, shows multiple kicks while another person laughs in the background; the animal scrambles away as the man follows, and the video ends shortly afterward. The person in the video has not been identified publicly. Sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits harassing, harming, pursuing, capturing or injuring marine mammals, with potential fines or jail time. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria condemned the act and said local law enforcement reviewed the footage, while police said they weren’t notified when it occurred.