Group calls for change after three dead sea lion cubs found in La Jolla Cove

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A group is calling for change after three sea lion pups were recently found dead in La Jolla Cove.

On Sunday, volunteers from the Sierra Club Seal Society were in La Jolla Cove educating the public about observing sea lions from a safe distance.

Three week-old sea lion pups were found dead in La Jolla Bay in the last six days. Of the nine pups born in the bay so far, only three remain at last count.

“Sea lions give birth here every year, so we try to educate and encourage people to safely view these animals,” says Carol Toye, a volunteer with the Sierra Club Seal Society.

A dead cub was found Saturday on Cove Public Beach, partially buried in the sand with a large lobster carcass on its head.

“We know there is some mortality rate in the first few months, but a reduction from nine to two or three is very unusual,” Toye said.

The Sierra Club San Diego and the Sierra Club Seal Society are now calling on the San Diego Parks and Recreation Department to take immediate action to protect the newborn sea lion pups in La Jolla Cove and to ensure that the public maintains safe distances.

She believes the deaths are due to ongoing mistreatment and bullying of the pups born at La Jolla Cove, as well as poor monitoring and handling of wildlife and humans.

“We feel that the current situation is really unacceptable. We should not be doing what we would call crowd control,” Toye said. “To me, that means there should be someone with authority in this area to keep people safe.”

The Sierra Club Seal Society has recommended the following steps that could be taken immediately to ensure better protection:

• Cones and tape will be installed on the beach to create a visible barrier that shows the public
  from where you can view it.
• A-shaped signs provided to the city by NOAA will be placed along the beach to educate the public about the pups’ vulnerability, prevent harmful behavior and encourage public empathy.
• Temporarily close the gate at one of the two steps to the beach when there are pups nearby or sea lions on the steps, as well as at night when the lifeguards leave.
• Rangers are present at La Jolla Cove Beach to educate people and ensure safe distances are maintained.