Moment furious sea lions chase tourists out of famous San Diego cove as two animals jostle for territory
Two angry sea lions chased tourists from a popular bay in San Diego as the two marine mammals fought over territory.
The sea lions were captured on video last weekend running through a crowd of beachgoers at La Jolla Cove. The growing sea lion population has taken over the busy vacation destinations in recent months.
Although it appeared as if the mammals were chasing people onto the beach, experts say they were actually chasing each other.
Eric Otjen, vice president of zoological operations at SeaWorld San Diego, said KGTV The male sea lions fought over territory.
“People think that the sea lion is chasing people, but that is not true at all,” says Otjen.
The two sea lions were captured on video running through beachgoers at La Jolla Cove over the weekend. Experts say they were chasing each other for territory, not people.
The bizarre moment shows a chaotic scene of people running away from the attacking sea lions, who dart across the sand one after another.
A smaller sea lion walks slightly ahead of a larger sea lion as he pushes his way through the anxious crowd.
From late June to early August, the mammals breed along the California coast. Just three to four weeks after giving birth, female sea lions are ready to mate again, according to NOAA Fisheries.
Otjen said the animals create their own territories because there are so many of them at once.
“And they all have a territory. And some of them don’t have a territory. So the smaller guy running through the crowd is the one just looking for a place to breed.
“And the larger male that you see at the very end of the video is the one whose territory he was trying to take over,” he said.
Robyn Davidoff of the Sierra Club Seal Society told the newspaper that the many sea lions are quite a spectacle on the beaches in the summer.
From late June to early August, the mammals breed on the California coast. (pictured: one of the sea lions runs to nearby rocks as people flee the area)
Robyn Davidoff of the Sierra Club Seal Society said the many sea lions are quite a spectacle on the beaches in the summer
“I was there on Saturday. Four different tour buses pulled up at different times and let over 50 people out, who then came down, took pictures with the sea lions and left after 20 minutes,” he said, adding that spectators “must keep their distance.”
There are federal guidelines that advise people to stay 50 yards away from sea lions.
If anyone in the state of California harasses or touches a sea lion, he or she risks being investigated by NOAA officials for violating regulations, according to NOAA Fisheries.
“Let them do their thing. That way the sea lions don’t feel like they’re being locked in by a group of people, and people don’t have to worry about them panicking when they try to get away,” Otjen explained.
Locals have taken matters into their own hands and held a public meeting at the La Jolla library on Monday to discuss the growing problem.
A nonprofit organization, the La Jolla Parks and Beaches Association, discussed possible solutions to reduce fearful situations between humans and mammals.
Members engaged in a passionate debate over the sea lions, with some vowing to protect them, while others complained about their usurpation.
“I think we need to get some marine experts involved to understand what an appropriate ecological balance is,” said one concerned resident. Fox news.
Earlier this month, beachgoers at La Jolla Cove were left screaming and crying after a protective sea lion approached them
Meanwhile, someone else said, “We’re trying to remove nature and add people. Do you think that will bring back the natural diversity of the area?”
The council members then sent a letter to Council President Jo LaCava, the La Jolla City Council member, expressing their support for continuing to provide people with access to the bay.
Earlier this month, beachgoers at La Jolla Cove were left screaming and crying after a protective sea lion approached them.
Before the marine mammal attacked beachgoers, it swam around the area with its babies. Lauren Bertrand captured the terrifying moment.
The sea lion nearly came face to face with a swimmer before swimming away, leaving the people unharmed.
The marine mammal jumped into the water and startled a child, who fell as a result.
She and another young girl who was close to the sea lion ran away from the scene as a group of swimmers watched the animal leave.