A child was captured on video throwing sand and rocks at a sea lion before a lifeguard asked her to leave a beach, much to her mother's shock.
The innocent pinniped was gathered around by beachgoers as it lay in the sand sleeping at La Jolla Cove in San Diego, California.
Witnesses observed a child in purple with a woman, who appeared to be her mother, watching the sleeping sea lion.
The young girl then began throwing sand and rocks at the sea lion, while her mum stands idle and watches her, as seen in the video.
A lifeguard on duty observed the child throwing items at the sleeping sea lion and asked her to leave over a loudspeaker.
Their voice sounded demanding as they ordered: "Little girl in the purple, you can leave now, thanks."
The woman who captured the interaction on video reported that the child had thrown rocks/sand at the sea lion multiple times before the announcement.
The mum of the child looked "shocked" after the announcement was made, said the woman who captured the interaction on video.
Robyn Davidoff, chair of the Sierra Club Seal Society, explained that people should keep a distance from wild animals like seals and sea lions and that they may bite if threatened.
He told CBS 8 : "They don’t realize they should keep a distance from them. They are wild animals. They are a little bit used to us, but they still are wild, and this time of the year, when they’re talking about mating, thinking about mating, they get a little frisky; people have to get out of the way. If threatened, [the sea lions] may bite".
The Marine Mammal Protection Act requires people and pets to remain at least 50 yards away from seals and sea lions in the water or on shore.
San Diego lifeguards will make announcements if people get too close or bother sea lions, according to Mónica Muñoz with San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
The video, which was uploaded on social media, attracted the attention of many users, who were concerned about the safety of the sea lion and appreciated the lifeguard's actions to protect it.
One user expressed frustration that the parents of the child were not doing anything to stop her from throwing rocks and sand at the sea lion.
Another user thanked the lifeguard for taking action and asking the child to leave.
Another user interpreted the lifeguard's action as being vigilant and protective of the sea lion's safety.
