On Sunday, February 22, a group of tourists from China was asked to leave by park rangers in San Diego, United States, after continuously throwing sand and stones at the sea lions on the shore.
This incident took place at La Jolla Cove in northern San Diego, California, which is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States.
Local photographer Jim Grant happened to be at the scene taking photos. He captured the confrontation between the park rangers and the mother of the Chinese children who were involved in the incident on video with his phone.
“He (a park ranger) sternly warned the children not to throw things around,” Grant told NBC 7, “In the end, he made the children’s mother walk from the beach to the top of the stairs (away from the area near the sea lions).”
It was reported that six Chinese tourists were involved, and two children were throwing items such as sand and stones at the sea lions. When the park ranger noticed a woman (wearing a brown jacket) along with several children harassing the sea lions on the beach, he approached her and after repeated warnings to stop the behavior, the family was asked to leave.
In the video captured by Grant, a park ranger can be heard asking the mother, “Do you also throw things at animals in China?”
According to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, harassing sea lions at La Jolla Cove is a federal offense, with each violation carrying a fine of over $30,000 and a possible maximum imprisonment of one year.
San Diego city spokesman Benny Cartwright confirmed that park rangers observed the family getting close to the sea lions, with the children even throwing sand.
He stated that the rangers explained to the family the importance of “maintaining a distance from marine wildlife.”
Although the mother was not issued a citation, she was warned by the park ranger and asked to leave the bay with her family.
Cartwright also added that the family was asked to leave the area near the sea lions but not the entire bay and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, although they seemed to choose to leave on their own.
Grant mentioned that the family appeared to be “very dissatisfied” with the expulsion decision.
He noted that over the years of photographing nature in La Jolla Cove, he had never seen anyone disturb animals in such a way and be expelled from the area.
During the day, park rangers use loudspeakers to warn visitors not to violate animal-related regulations. Additionally, recorded messages in English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese are played and amplified regularly to ensure that as many foreign visitors as possible understand the relevant laws.
“I am pleased to see… law enforcement stepping in,” Grant said. “The bay is not your private zoo, nor is it the Wild West. Federal regulations exist for a reason.”
Grant confirmed that there were five park rangers on duty at the time of the February 22 incident.
In recent years, uncivilized behavior by mainland Chinese tourists while traveling abroad has left a negative impression on locals. These behaviors are believed to be linked to the deliberate destruction of traditional culture and the promotion of Party culture education after the Chinese Communist Party usurped power.