Federal officials investigating after video appears to show man kicking a sea lion on a California beach

Federal officials are investigating after a video reportedly shows a man kicking and harassing a protected sea lion on a city-run beach in California. NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement is probing reports that an incident captured on video shows the person appearing to kick the animal, NOAA Fisheries spokesperson Rachel Hager said Saturday. The alleged event occurred Wednesday night near La Jolla Cove, an area where sea lions are common on wet sandstone plateaus. The San Diego Police Department said it received tips through social media and directed residents to contact NOAA. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria asked police to review the footage and called the act unacceptable animal cruelty. The Marine Mammal Protection Act bans harassment of protected species and carries penalties exceeding $30,000 per violation and possible prison time.