Sea lions flee in panic after man backflips off pier to harass them, CA video shows
An investigation is underway after a video showing a man harassing California sea lions went viral, according to a nonprofit.
In an email to McClatchy News, Giancarlo Rulli, a spokesperson for The Marine Mammal Center, said it learned about the video of the incident at Pier 39 in San Francisco on April 15 and reported it to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Law Enforcement “due to the serious nature of this individual’s actions.”
Sue Muzzin, a spokesperson for Pier 39, said in an email to McClatchy News that it is “working with The Marine Mammal Center and NOAA on investigating this further.”
NOAA did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment on April 18.
In an undated video posted to at least two Instagram accounts on April 15, a man can be seen shotgunning a canned beverage and throwing it to the ground before backflipping off the pier into the water.
The man then swam and hopped onto a dock occupied by a colony of sea lions, which start barking and flee into the water as the man chases them, waving his arms.
The person recording the incident can be heard laughing in the background throughout the video.
“Bro, they’re freaking out, bro!” the videographer can be heard saying.
The video received a flurry of backlash online.
“Are you kidding me? Please do not come to our city w(ith) this disgusting behavior,” one user commented.
“Don’t mess with our sea lions like that,” another user said.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act makes it illegal “to harass or harm marine mammals and is punishable with fines and/or jail time,” Rulli said.
Rulli said the nonprofit recommends those viewing marine wildlife to stay at least 50 feet away.
To report the harassment of marine wildlife, individuals can call the NOAA Law Enforcement hotline at 800-853-1964.
Pier 39 is home to hundreds of sea lions. They started making the marina their home following the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989.
“Within a few short months, the number of sea lions grew to more than 300 and hit a an all-time record of 1,701 in November 2009,” the pier said.
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