SAN DIEGO — A man posing for a picture with his “trophy fish” was attacked by a 300-pound sea lion, which pulled him off the side of a boat and dragged him 20 feet underwater.
The 62-year-old suffered puncture wounds and lacerations to his leg, and was taken to the hospital for treatment, FOX5 reports.
“We estimated that he was in the water for 15 to 20 seconds,” San Diego lifeguard Lt. John Sandmeyer said. “At that point, the sea lion let go and he was able to jump back into his boat.”
He was standing near the Hyatt Mission Bay Marina at 2:40 p.m. when the marine mammal attacked. Boaters said sea lions in the area have been becoming more aggressive.
“Normally they would just leave when you walked up to them,” boater Erik Kopp told FOX. “Now, they’re actually turning and chasing you when you try to get on your boat. At night, they make all kinds of noise – can’t even sleep on your boat anymore.”