Sometimes if a beach is too crowded, you just have to be obnoxious enough to make people leave.
That’s exactly what these sea lions did when they charged La Jolla Cove in San Diego, California. The beach area was crowded with beachgoers and tourists, and the sea lions effectively said “not on my watch.”
La Jolla Cove is one of many beaches along the California coast that are sparking debates of cohabitation. The video of this particular encounter has drawn many to call for the beach to be closed to people and saved as a protected wildlife area for the sea lions.
Two areas near La Jolla Cove, Boomer’s Beach and Point La Jolla, have already become closed during certain periods of the year for sea lion breeding season (which is called “pupping”). San Diego has recently applied for a permit from the California Coastal Commission to advance that closure and close those two beaches year round.
Though some view the decision as controversial, it would really just be in the best interest of both parties. People would no longer need to be worried about getting hurt, and sea lions would have dedicated places to themselves.
The City of San Diego even said in a statement on their website regarding humans sharing beaches with sea lions:
“Members of the public have been observed trying to touch, take selfies, and get as close to sea lions as possible which is a dangerous situation for both the public and the animals.”
And this video, which is now going viral, certainly looked like it could be (or turn into) a dangerous situation in an instant. The sea lions come charging out of the ocean, clearing the beach and sending beachgoers running and screaming for higher ground.
The second sea lion that emerges from the water came out like it was fired out of a gun. It had tremendous speed in the water, but could still “turn on the jets” when it got onto land too. Really seems like an accident just waiting to happen.
Judging by the loudspeaker voice from the beach’s lifeguard, it’s actually an situation that happens frequently. He warns those on the beach when the sea lions come rushing up and spreading out the crowd:
“Please give that large male sea lion plenty of room. They have bitten people and they are protected animals.”
Very nice of the lifeguard to warn others, but how am I supposed to have the wherewithal to know the gender of the sea lion that is chasing me? Maybe a location or different physical reference like “the sea lion closest to the man in the white shirt,” which is easy for me to say considering that I’m writing this from the safety of my own home.
Thankfully, it doesn’t appear that anyone was hurt in the close encounter with the sea lions, though I’m sure that some Californians will be checking this beach off their list of “places to get your tan on.”
Check it out:
