sea lions charge sunbathers chasing them off a San Diego beach

This is the moment two sea lions live up to their land-based counterparts as they scare sunbathers on a San Diego beach.

A TikTok video showing dozens of beachgoers running and jumping out of the way of the two fast-moving sea lions has generated nearly 10 million views.
The footage sparked conversations about whether the mammals were going after people and reclaiming picturesque La Jolla Cove's narrow strip of sand - but sea lion expert Eric Otjen said it was normal behavior as males spar when breeding season gets underway.

Otjen said the male flopping along at a rapid-fire pace as he darted around people was fleeing from the other male closer to the water's edge that was chasing him because they were likely fighting over which females they could get.
Both sea lions had ample opportunities to attack people but instead barreled past them, he said.

'He's got swimmers all around him on his way back out, but they don't bother him.

'What this is all about is his right to mate' Otjen said, adding: 'This behavior is not uncommon at all.

The reason why the video has gotten like 10 millions views is because everybody is running like Godzilla is chasing them.'

And with good reason, he added.
You don't want to be caught in the crossfire,' Otjen said.

'Even if they don't bite, it's not a great feeling to have 200 to 300 pounds roll over you.'

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's guidelines, people should stay at least 50 feet (15 meters) away from sea lions, seals and other species protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Male sea lions are polygamous and establish breeding territories which can include up to 14 females.

Vocalisation and aggressive physical displays are used to establish dominance over these territories and this appears to be what the pair in the video are trying during mating season.

The U.S. population of California sea lions is currently estimated at up to 300,000 animals, all on the Pacific coast according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

California sea lions are managed under the Mammal Protection Act of 1972 but are not specifically protected due to their strong numbers.

The Endangered Species Act was amended in 1994 to allow lethal removal of the sea lions as they can threaten the recovery of salmon and steelhead stocks which are endangered themselves.