Shocking video footage has emerged on social media of beachgoers in San Diego being chased from the seafront by sea lions.
The terrifying TikTok video, viewed nearly 4,000 times, shows one of the giant sea creatures moving aggressively and at speed towards people having fun at La Jolla Cove – a popular beach in the California city.
People are seen scrambling from the beach, leaving their beach towels, deck chairs, and bags where they are as the flippered animal bursts towards them.
It even appears to attempt to chase them up the beach stairs, in what was almost certainly a frightening ordeal for children and parents alike.
The video is not the first reported incident between beachgoers and sea lions at La Jolla Cove.
According to the San Diego Union Tribune, there have been several recent episodes between people and the ocean-dwelling mammals.
In fact, according to the publication, the Sierra Club Seal Society is looking for increased protection for the animals, following the deaths of three sea lion cubs.
The deaths are believed to have been caused by human behaviour, something the city urgently needs to deal with, according to the Society.
Seal Society Chairwoman Robyn Davidoff said: “This is an emergency situation.
“The city [of San Diego] needs to talk to experts in sea lion behavior in terms of what is possible in terms of management.”
According to the San Diego Union Tribune, Ms Davidoff and Carol Toye, another leader of the Sierra Club Seal Society, said early this month that the “current situation where people are disturbing nursing females and petting newborn pups is unacceptable and unlawful, as the Marine Mammal Protection Act protects sea lions against harassment.
“It is also dangerous for people and sea lions to be in close proximity.”
They demanded “management of the area, but not closure.”