Federal officials investigating after video appears to show man kicking a sea lion on a California beach

Federal officials are investigating an incident in which a man appeared to kick and harass a protected sea lion on a city-operated beach near San Diego.

SAN DIEGO — Federal officials are investigating a reported incident in which a man appeared to kick and harass a protected sea lion on a city-operated beach.

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement is investigating reports of a video that “shows an interaction between an individual and sea lion,” NOAA Fisheries spokesperson Rachel Hager said by email Saturday.

“In the video, the individual appears to be kicking the sea lion,” she said. “This is an ongoing investigation, and we cannot provide further details at this time.”