A defending sea lion in San Diego lunged at the unwanted human visitors who appeared to be approaching its babies, sending dozens of beachgoers running for their safety.
Before it started barking at the swimmers on June 23, the sea lion was seen swimming around La Jolla Cove with the pups on camera. Before the sea lion leaps out of the water, someone is heard saying, “Oh, they are kind of close, get out of the water, fat ass.”
As the sea lion lunged for them, several people on the beach scrambled to their feet.
In the video, taken by tourist Lauren Bertrand, some of them gently carried their bags away, while others took out their phones to record their near encounter with the protective mother.
The footage then turns to a young and an adult sea lion charging toward swimmers at full speed, causing them to either fall back into the water or run out of the way. Before anyone got hurt, the sea lion stopped her attack.
About 200 yards away from La Jolla Cove is Point La Jolla, a rocky stretch of the San Diego coast that’s become a favorite hangout for sea lions.
