SAN DIEGO -- Tensions were high Monday at the Children's Pool beach in La Jolla, when defenders of a colony of harbor seals stopped a man and his children from walking on a corner of the public beach.

---

View Images

---

Jeff Foster told NBC 7/39 he had no intention of disturbing any of the approximately 60 seals, including five newborn seal pups.

Foster said he simply wanted to show the children a sea cave on the corner of the beach. He said he resented the fact that harbor seal activists yelled at him in front of more than 100 spectators.

The harbor seal activists told NBC 7/39 they needed to make sure Foster knew he could disrupt the seals' mating season by getting too close to the mammals.

Those who are protecting the seals said it is especially important to stay off the Children's Pool beach from February through April, which is the annual birthing season for the seals. So far, there are five new pups on the beach.

Previous Stories:

• January 4, 2008: Judge: No Seal Barrier At Children's Pool