Nine-Year-Old Girl Attacked and Bitten by Sea Lion at Monterey Peninsula Beach

A nine-year-old girl was bitten by a sea lion during a surf lesson at Asilomar State Beach in Monterey County, resulting in puncture wounds. The incident involved five children in the ocean, and the quick actions of surf instructor Alex De Marignac helped prevent a more serious situation. Corale Olsen, the young victim, expressed her shock and pain during the attack. Sea lion bites on humans are rare, often linked to environmental factors such as domoic acid poisoning or territorial behavior. Historically, sea lions migrate south during mating season, which may impact their presence and behavior in the area.

De Marignac, who has surfed since childhood, remarked that he had never seen anything like this before. The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of wildlife interactions in coastal areas. Local authorities may need to monitor sea lion behavior as the season progresses.