Nine-year-old girl encountering a vicious sea lion attack at a surf camp, accompanied by her siblings, causing her to scream in fear and dismay.
In a rare and unexpected encounter, a 9-year-old girl named Corale Olsen was bitten by a sea lion while attending a surf camp at Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove, California.
Alex De Marignac, Corale's surf instructor, had never witnessed such an attack in the waters before. He believes the incident might have been triggered by the sea lion's territorial behavior, as areas like Monterey Bay and San Francisco Bay, where humans and sea lions coexist closely, see more encounters.
The sea lion bite left puncture wounds and bruising on Corale's leg. She felt pain and started screaming after being bitten. Corale described the incident, stating that the sea lion lunged at her and bit her.
Alex De Marignac quickly reacted to get Corale and her siblings to shore after the bite. Corale was taken to the emergency room for treatment. Despite the incident, Corale has expressed that it will not keep her away from the water.
Experts advise giving animals space and not getting closer to them to get a better look. Human recreational activities in sea lion habitats can provoke attacks, especially if sea lions feel threatened or are startled by sudden movements.
Common causes of sea lion attacks on humans in California waters include territorial behavior, especially by adult males seeking food, and aggression linked to illness or environmental stressors, such as exposure to toxic algal blooms producing domoic acid, which can cause neurological symptoms like seizures and erratic behavior in sea lions.
Outbreaks of bacterial diseases affecting sea lions on the Central California coast can also contribute to abnormal behavior, potentially increasing attack risks.
Corale and her siblings have spent their lives in the water, engaging in activities like swimming, boogie boarding, and surfing. Corale's sister, Skye Olsen, expressed worry during the incident.
Despite the incident, Corale Olsen intends to return to the water, demonstrating a courageous spirit and love for the ocean that is inspiring to many.
- In general-news, instances of sea lion attacks on humans, often triggered by territorial behavior or other factors like illness, can occur in sports activities like surfing, as demonstrated by the encounter experienced by Corale Olsen.
- Salient advice for those engaging in activities in sea lion habitats includes maintaining a safe distance from these animals to avoid accidents, as sudden movements or human recreational activities can provoke attacks, as observed in the incident involving Corale Olsen.
