The footage, which began spreading widely on Thursday, has generated widespread outrage among San Diegans, wildlife advocates, and conservation groups. The video appears to have originated from a Snapchat post before being screen-recorded and shared across Instagram and other platforms. While the original account that allegedly posted the footage appears to have since been deactivated, copies of the video continue to circulate online.
The video appears to show a young male approaching a sea lion resting atop the seawall before forcefully kicking the animal in the face multiple times. At one point, another voice in the video can allegedly be heard saying, "This one's f*** huge," prompting concern among viewers that multiple sea lions may have been targeted that evening. SanDiegoVille has not independently verified whether additional animals were involved.
The exact date and time the video was recorded have not been independently confirmed, although several social media posts indicate the incident occurred on the evening of July 22 near Point La Jolla. The identity of the individual shown in the video has also not been independently verified. Although numerous social media users have publicly identified a specific individual, this publication is withholding the person's name unless and until law enforcement or investigating authorities publicly identify a suspect or charges are filed.
The San Diego Police Department acknowledged Thursday that it has received numerous messages regarding the incident.
"We have been made aware of this incident through numerous tags and messages," the department wrote on Instagram. "We agree this behavior is completely unacceptable. The incident was not originally reported to the San Diego Police Department. It is being investigated by NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We appreciate the public's concern and encourage anyone with relevant information to contact the investigating agencies."
Because California sea lions are protected under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, intentionally striking, harassing, injuring or disturbing them can constitute a violation of federal law. The law broadly prohibits the "take" of marine mammals, a term that includes harassment, injury, capture or killing. Civil and criminal penalties may apply depending on the circumstances of an investigation.
The incident has reignited longstanding concerns about the safety of marine mammals in La Jolla, where sea lions and harbor seals attract hundreds of visitors every day. Wildlife advocates have repeatedly warned that harassment of the animals remains a persistent problem, despite educational signage and legal protections.
The Seal Conservancy, formerly known as the Sierra Club Seal Society, has for years documented incidents involving tourists approaching, chasing, touching, feeding and otherwise disturbing marine mammals throughout the Point La Jolla and Children's Pool areas. Volunteers have repeatedly urged the City of San Diego to install additional surveillance cameras and increase enforcement, arguing that violations frequently occur after dark or outside normal enforcement hours.
Following release of the video, the organization again called for expanded surveillance, writing that the footage demonstrates why additional monitoring is necessary because "harassment and abuse continue all day and night."
Marine mammal experts consistently remind the public that sea lions may appear docile while hauled out on rocks or seawalls, but are wild animals that require space to rest. Disturbing resting sea lions can cause unnecessary stress, force them back into the water prematurely, separate mothers from pups, or provoke defensive behavior.
The viral footage comes as San Diego continues to experience another busy summer tourist season in La Jolla, where tensions between wildlife protection and recreational use have remained an ongoing issue.
Anyone with firsthand information, photographs or video related to the incident is encouraged to contact NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement. Reports can also be made through the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at 800-853-1964.
As of publication, neither NOAA nor the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released additional details regarding the investigation or identified any suspect.
SanDiegoVille will continue following this story as more information becomes available.
Originally published July 23, 2026.