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Federal officials investigate after a video appears to show a person kicking a California sea lion
Federal investigators are reviewing the footage to determine whether the man’s actions violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act, officials said.
- Federal authorities are investigating a viral social media video appearing to show a man kicking a sea lion late Wednesday at La Jolla Cove, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirming the probe on Saturday.
- Sea lions are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which requires visitors to maintain at least 50 feet of distance; violations carry penalties exceeding $30,000 and potential prison time.
- San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria directed the San Diego Police Department to review the footage, calling it an "unacceptable" act of animal cruelty, though the department was not originally notified of the incident.
- Animal advocates, including the Sierra Club Seal Society, are calling for criminal prosecution, with chair Robyn Davidoff stating, "Assault is ASSAULT, no matter the species."
- Investigators have not yet identified the individual, as social media accounts linked to the video appear deleted; NOAA officials urge witnesses to report information to the Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement immediately.
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43 Articles
43 Articles
A video of a young man abusing a California sea lion on the shores of La Jolla Cove has sparked widespread outrage.
·Budapest, Hungary
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Associated Press News+27 Reposted by 27 other sources
Federal officials investigate after a video appears to show a person kicking a California sea lion
Federal wildlife authorities are investigating after a video appeared to show a person kicking a protected sea lion at a beach in California.
·New York, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources43
Leaning Left16Leaning Right7Center17Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Center
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources are Center
43% Center
L 40%
C 43%
R 17%
Factuality
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