18-year-old pleads guilty to kicking sea lion in La Jolla

Viral video sparked outrage

Tyler Muehl, of La Jolla, was identified in a video that circulated widely online. The footage showed him repeatedly kicking a sea lion at the popular Southern California beach.

The incident prompted widespread outrage and raised concerns about the treatment of wildlife at La Jolla Cove, where sea lions regularly gather.

Federal case

Muehl appeared in federal court Thursday and pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the encounter.

Because La Jolla Cove is home to protected marine wildlife, intentionally harassing or disturbing a sea lion can result in federal consequences under wildlife-protection laws.

Sea lions are protected

California sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which generally prohibits people from harassing, harming or disturbing marine mammals in the wild.

Visitors are urged to keep their distance and allow animals to rest undisturbed, particularly at popular wildlife-viewing locations such as La Jolla Cove.

The video became a warning

The viral footage not only drew attention to Muehl's actions but also highlighted a broader problem at crowded wildlife sites: people getting too close to animals for photos or videos.

Wildlife experts routinely warn that approaching or touching marine mammals can stress the animals and can also put people in danger.

Bottom line

Tyler Muehl, 18, pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday after the video of him kicking a sea lion at La Jolla Cove went viral. The case serves as another reminder that getting close to wildlife can have serious consequences—for both the animals and the people who disturb them.