Crowd of sea lions invades sand, causing officials to close California city beach

It was a loud, floppy hullabaloo at San Carlos Beach in California this weekend.

Over the course of only a few days, dozens of sea lions gathered, covering the sand. On Monday Aug. 19, city officials closed the beach.

“City of Monterey’s Parks Division is closing San Carlos Beach on Monday, Aug. 19, temporarily due to the crowd of sea lions,” they said in an announcement on Facebook.

A video posted on YouTube Aug. 20 shows mobs of chatty brown sea lions amassed on the shoreline in a honking cacophony.

The sea lions can also be seen around Old Fisherman’s Wharf, city officials said.

While the invasion may seem sudden, this behavior is normal. Sea lions are very social, according to PBS. During breeding season, they gather in large groups on sunny beaches.

The breeding season is typically June through August, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Officials recognize that a spectacle like this is bound to draw curiosity, but remind observers to keep their distance for the safety of themselves as well as of the animals.

“Enjoy and watch the sea lions from a distance of at least 50 yards,” they said.

Sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, meaning that anyone who tries to harass, feed or touch them could be subject to fines or jail time.

This story was originally published August 20, 2024 at 5:27 PM with the headline "Crowd of sea lions invades sand, causing officials to close California city beach."