In late July, a video posted across various platforms showed a disturbing confrontation between an 18-year-old man and a sea lion at La Jolla Cove in Southern California. The area, next to Ellen Browning Scripps Park, is known for its rocky shores where marine mammals regularly haul themselves out of the water to rest. Tyler Muehl, 18, apparently decided that one of those resting sea lions needed a fight. Rather than keeping his distance, Muehl began acting aggressively toward the animal. According to federal prosecutors, he took a fighting stance and squared up to the sea lion as if he was preparing to box it. Court documents also reveal that Muehl compared himself to professional UFC featherweight fighter Max Holloway during the confrontation. Things then escalated. Muehl allegedly kicked the sea lion four times. When the animal tried to get away from the barrier, Muehl chased after it along the wall. Someone recorded the entire confrontation on a mobile phone and uploaded it to social media, where the video quickly sparked outrage. Viewers think he was lucky the sea lion did not retaliate The official TikTok account of ABC San Diego shared the video, and users were not exactly sympathetic toward Muehl. One commenter pointed out that if the sea lion had seriously injured him while trying to defend itself, the animal could have faced consequences for simply protecting itself. @abc10news The La Jolla teen who appeared in a viral video kicking at a sea lion in La Jolla Cove has pleaded guilty to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act. ♬ original sound – ABC 10News San Diego One user wrote, “I couldn’t finish watching the video. It’s disgusting. How can you hurt a defenseless animal? What’s wrong with people?” Another commenter went even further, calling for Muehl’s parents to be held accountable. “Charge the parents too…” the user wrote, arguing that the incident was an example of poor parenting. Others believed Muehl’s friends, who were filming the incident, should also face consequences. One user wrote, “the people filming should also be charged. all as adults. parents should be held accountable as well.” The video eventually caught the attention of local officials and wildlife authorities. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria addressed the incident on social media, calling it a “disgusting act of animal cruelty” and making it clear that the matter would be taken seriously. According to USA TODAY, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also investigated the incident. The agency reminded the public that intentionally striking, kicking or harassing wild marine mammals is illegal under federal law and encouraged people to report similar incidents. Muehl was eventually charged with violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act. On Aug. 13, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California announced that he had pleaded guilty. He admitted to harassing the sea lion As part of the agreement, Muehl admitted to harassing the sea lion, including kicking it repeatedly and chasing it as it tried to get away. He also acknowledged under oath that the video accurately showed what happened. The Marine Mammal Protection Act carries serious penalties for people who harass protected wildlife. Muehl now faces a maximum sentence of one year in federal prison and a fine of up to $100,000. All of this over a sea lion that was apparently just trying to enjoy a quiet day at La Jolla Cove.