Beachgoers in a Southern California town experienced a terrifying encounter when two large sea lions came ashore at a San Diego beach.
A video shared on July 7 by Dion Ruzicka shows the shocking moment when these big sea creatures burst onto the sand, startling people who were enjoying the sunny day.
One sea lion lunged towards the beachgoers, causing chaos as tourists screamed and scrambled to escape the unexpected chase.
Before long, a second sea lion joined in, creating even more panic as crowds rushed towards higher ground and some even waded into the water to avoid them.
Strangely, the more the crowd ran, the more interested the determined sea lions appeared to be, waddling after the fleeing beachgoers.
“Oh my god,” one person exclaimed amidst the confusion.
Regardless of age, the sea lions didn’t seem to discriminate in their pursuit. Eventually, both animals returned to the ocean and swam away rapidly.
This incident isn’t the first of its kind at La Jolla. Just a year prior, a video captured a similar scene where two sea lions were shown chasing a beachgoer around before retreating.
The City of San Diego has warned the public about the risks of approaching local wildlife, particularly as the population of sea lions continues to grow in the area.
The city’s message noted, “As the sea lion population increases, Point La Jolla has become a popular tourist spot for viewing these animals up close,” highlighting the importance of keeping distance.
With rising interactions, officials are concerned as people have been seen touching the sea lions and trying to take selfies with them, which poses risks for both the animals and the public.
Officials recommend that visitors observe sea lions from the boardwalk and maintain a safe distance.
While it remains uncertain what triggered this specific incident, it’s worth noting that summer is the birthing season for sea lions. This time of year can lead to heightened protective behavior from the animals, as they are likely to feel threatened when young pups are present.
“Such interactions can be risky for both humans and wildlife, and may also go against the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act designed to safeguard these animals,” the city added.
The California Post has reached out to the La Jolla Parks and Beaches group for more information.
