WARNING:

June 2023 Channel Islands Marine Wildlife Institute

We are getting reports of sea lions biting surfers in the ocean and people on the beach as well as sea lions charging at people and dogs when they are threatened!

Keep your distance and your dog’s distance! Stay back 50 feet (four car lengths) for your safety and the health of the animal.

DO NOT do the following:

⁃ Do not pour water on the sea lion: They do not need to be wet even if it is hot out, the beach is a part of their natural habitat and they came out of the ocean to rest for a reason, pouring water on them can make their compromised state worse and could cause them to have a seizure

⁃ Do not coax/drag/push the animal into the ocean or out of the surf zone: This can harm the animal, you could get hurt and even bitten

⁃ Do not feed the animal: The ocean fish may be contaminated with the neurotoxin and they do not eat human food including tuna fish

⁃ Do not touch or pet the animal: Wild animals may bite!

⁃ Do not harass the animal: This is mean and abusive, respect the wildlife like you would a family pet

⁃ Do not cover the animal: It is unsafe to get this close to the wild animal and they do not use blankets in the wild

⁃ Do not get close to take selfies: You will be too close to the animal and you should never have your back to an unpredictable wild animal – you could get hurt

All of these actions are also a federal offense!

Marine mammals are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Violations can result in a civil penalty up to $11,000 as well as criminal penalties up to $100,000 and imprisonment of up to a year or both.

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