Monterey sea lion harasser faces hefty fines and jail time
A scandalous incident occurred in Monterey, California. A man was mistreating animals in Sister City Park by scaring sea lions using tape. The frightened animals were falling off the rocks.
Unfortunately for the perpetrator, a video from Monterey, California, was uploaded online. It shows a man, probably a tourist, dressed in a blue shirt, waving a piece of yellow tape he had ripped off the fence in front of the sea lions.
Authorities trying to identify the man
The frightened animals consequently fell off the rocks. The remaining sea lions hurried down the hill in panic. A group of tourists watched the entire incident. Local authorities are attempting to identify the aggressive man. Disturbing the peace of marine mammals is a federal offence.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) claims it has contacted the Monterey Police Department to see if anyone can identify the man.
The attacker faces fines and imprisonment
Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, capturing, killing, or harassing sea lions and other marine mammals is illegal. Individuals who violate the law may be fined up to $34,000 (about CAD 45,900) and face up to a year in prison.
"The animals and nature in Monterey Bay are unique and practically unrivalled. This happens too often without consequences. What is the point of rules and laws if they are not enforced?" ask internet users in the video posted online.
Source: abc7news.com
