Sea lion bites 9-year-old woman whereas she was browsing close to Monterey

By Zoe Hunt | CNN

MONTEREY COUNTY, California (KSBW) — 9-year-old Corale Olsen was out within the water at Asilomar State Seaside throughout surf camp together with her brother and sister after they seen a sea lion.

Moments later, the animal lunged at her.

“It was right next to me, and I was like ‘Oh my gosh, something really bad is going to happen.’ Then it just bit me,” stated Corale. “It was pain, and then I was screaming.”

Corale’s surf teacher stated he had no cause to suppose the ocean lion would assault.

“I have surfed in these waters since I was about 6-years-old, but never ever seen something like that,” stated surf teacher Alex De Marignac. “I feel like most kids kind of like go after sea lions lightly, and nothing happens.”

It was De Marignac’s fast pondering that acquired the youngsters safely to shore.

“I had two kids under each arm and then one hanging off my neck, and yeah, we all made it in,” stated De Marignac.

“It was just the coach taking care of my sister,” stated Corale’s brother, Rhodes Olsen.

“There was a lifeguard but … he or she, I bet, saw the sea lion go up, and they just did nothing,” stated Corale. “So, it was my instructor pretty much being the lifeguard.”

The chew left behind small puncture wounds and bruising on Corale’s leg. She spent the remainder of the day within the emergency room.

Whereas sea lion bites are uncommon, they will occur.

Aggressive conduct is particularly demonstrated if the animal is affected by domoic acid poisoning, which is brought on by a poisonous algae bloom, or in some instances of the bacterial illness leptospirosis.

Nevertheless, De Marignac stated he thinks this incident could have been a case of the animal changing into territorial and wanting house.

“I think the rule of thumb is make sure to give animals their space. I think it’s totally fine to be curious, but I’d say never get a better look by getting closer to the animal,” stated De Marignac.

The three Olsen siblings have spent their complete lives within the ocean. Corale stated she’s not letting this assault cease her from getting again within the water.

“If something happens, that doesn’t mean that you stop doing what you love,” stated Corale.

Initially Printed: August 5, 2025 at 8:56 PM PDT