No one’s ‘arfing’ now! Moment barking sea lions charge at sunbathers chasing them off a San Diego beach
- Two sea lions scared sunbathers on a San Diego beach as they barked loudly
- The footage sparked talk about whether the mammals were going after people
- Sea lion expert Eric Otjen said it was normal behavior as males spar when breeding season gets underway
This is the moment two sea lions live up to their land-based counterparts as they scare sunbathers on a San Diego beach.
A TikTok video showing dozens of beachgoers running and jumping out of the way of the two fast-moving sea lions has generated nearly 10 million views.
The footage sparked conversations about whether the mammals were going after people and reclaiming picturesque La Jolla Cove’s narrow strip of sand – but sea lion expert Eric Otjen said it was normal behavior as males spar when breeding season gets underway.
Otjen said the male flopping along at a rapid-fire pace as he darted around people was fleeing from the other male closer to the water’s edge that was chasing him because they were likely fighting over which females they could get.
A TikTok video showing dozens of beachgoers running and jumping out of the way of the two fast-moving sea lions has generated nearly 10 million views
Both sea lions had ample opportunities to attack people but instead barreled past them, he said.
‘He’s got swimmers all around him on his way back out, but they don’t bother him.
‘What this is all about is his right to mate’ Otjen said, adding: ‘This behavior is not uncommon at all.
The reason why the video has gotten like 10 millions views is because everybody is running like Godzilla is chasing them.’
And with good reason, he added.
Eric Otjen said the male flopping along at a rapid-fire pace as he darted around people was fleeing from the other male closer to the water’s edge
‘It may look funny that everybody is running, but it’s not a bad choice.
You don’t want to be caught in the crossfire,’ Otjen said.
‘Even if they don’t bite, it’s not a great feeling to have 200 to 300 pounds roll over you.’
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s guidelines, people should stay at least 50 feet (15 meters) away from sea lions, seals and other species protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
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