California

After Viral Video, Experts Say Don't Feed Sea Lions

A video that has now gone viral, which shows a little girl being pulled into the water by a sea lion in British Columbia, is being looked at by local experts as an example of what not to do near marine mammals.

The video appears to show tourists feeding a California sea lion bread crumbs. Moments later, the sea lion jumps up, grabs a small child by her dress and drags her into the harbor water. A man jumps in to save her. The little girl appears to be uninjured afterwards.

“With wild sea lions, especially, you don’t want to feed them, you don’t want to interact with them and you definitely don’t want to turn your back on them," said Eric Otjen, who works at Sea World to help rescue injured sea lions and re-release them back into the wild.

Otjen said it is possible the sea lion thought the little girl might have more treats. He added any parents with small children should not let them near sea lions, seals or other wild animals.  

"[When you feed them], it builds an expectation with the animal that they’re going to get something from you," added Otjen.

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