A Teen Kicked a Sea Lion at La Jolla Cove. He Just Learned Exactly Why That’s a Federal Crime.

Did you know it’s illegal to touch, chase, or harass a wild sea lion in the US — even if you never lay a hand on it? An 18-year-old in San Diego just found that out the hard way, in federal court.

Back in July, a viral video showed a young man approaching a sea lion at La Jolla Cove, kicking at it four times before the animal fled — and continuing to chase and kick at it as it tried to escape over a seawall. This week, that same young man, Tyler Muehl, pleaded guilty in federal court to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Here’s why this matters beyond one bad interaction: the Marine Mammal Protection Act has safeguarded wild seals, sea lions, whales, and dolphins in US waters for over 50 years, making it illegal to harass, hunt, or injure them. Muehl’s plea means he’s on the hook for up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine — a real reminder that these protections aren’t just words on paper.

“Intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal — it is dangerous for the well-being of the animal,” said Eric Morgan, assistant director of NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement.

The tricky part is enforcement. NOAA has only four officers covering marine mammal protection across all of California, which means places like La Jolla Cove lean heavily on partnerships with local park rangers, state wildlife officers, and volunteer groups like the Seal Society to help keep watch. Cases like this one are exactly why those partnerships — and the videos ordinary beachgoers capture — matter so much.

The takeaway:  wild marine mammals aren’t props for a viral moment, and the law backing that up has real teeth. As U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon put it plainly: federal crime, federal consequences.

If you ever see a marine mammal being harassed on a beach, keeping a safe distance yourself and reporting it to NOAA’s marine mammal hotline is the best way to help.

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