An 18-year-old California man pleaded guilty after a viral video showed him kicking a sea lion at La Jolla Cove.
Viral video leads to guilty plea
An 18-year-old California man has pleaded guilty after a video showed him repeatedly kicking a sea lion at La Jolla Cove.
Tyler Muehl of La Jolla entered his guilty plea in federal court on Thursday. He admitted to breaking federal rules that protect marine mammals from harassment.
The case drew attention after footage of the incident spread online.
Man kicked sea lion four times
According to court documents, Muehl approached the sea lion late on July 22. The animal was resting on a sea wall at La Jolla Cove.
Muehl then raised his hands as if he planned to fight the animal. He also called himself “Max Holloway”, a reference to the UFC fighter.
After that, he kicked at the sea lion four times.
Twice, Muehl kicked the animal in the face. The sea lion flinched and pulled back after the blows.
The animal then tried to escape. However, Muehl followed it and kicked again.
Finally, the sea lion stumbled as it tried to get away. Muehl kicked at it once more before the animal escaped over the sea wall and reached the beach.
Muehl also agreed that the video showed an accurate account of what happened.
NOAA warns people to keep their distance
The incident prompted an investigation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA.
Eric Morgan, an assistant director with NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement, said the agency takes violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act seriously.
He also warned that striking or kicking marine mammals is both illegal and harmful to the animals.
Sea lions are protected under U.S. federal law. In addition, NOAA advises people to stay at least 50 feet away from sea lions, seals and other protected marine mammals.
Sentencing is set for October
Muehl is due to be sentenced on Oct. 20.
He faces up to one year in prison. He could also receive a fine of up to US$100,000.
Meanwhile, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said the guilty plea showed that wildlife harassment can have serious consequences.
He also urged people to respect marine animals, keep their distance and follow the law along the coast.
Similar case involved a Hawaiian monk seal
The case comes as another wildlife harassment case moves through the U.S. courts.
Earlier this year, a Washington state man was charged after authorities said he threw a large rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in Maui.
According to prosecutors, Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk was filmed following the seal along the shoreline before throwing the rock towards its head.
Lytvynchuk pleaded not guilty in May. He was also ordered to stay away from Hawaii beaches while the case continues.
If convicted, he could face prison time and fines under both the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
For now, both cases serve as a clear reminder: protected wildlife should be watched from a safe distance, not approached or harmed.
