URGENT UPDATE: A nine-year-old girl, Corale Olsen, was attacked and bitten by a sea lion while learning to surf at Asilomar State Beach in Monterey County, California. The shocking incident occurred earlier today, leaving Corale in severe pain and triggering a swift rescue by her instructor.
Corale reported being “screaming” after the sea lion bit her during a surf camp session. “We were pretty deep in the ocean,” she recounted. The unexpected attack happened when the sea lion, described as aggressive and territorial, swam under her instructor’s leg and lunged at her. “It bit me, and then I got dragged underwater,” she described.
In a dramatic rescue, surf instructor Alex De Marignac quickly grabbed Corale along with her siblings and brought them back to shore. “I had two kids under each arm and one hanging off my neck, and yeah, we all made it,” he stated, reflecting on the urgency of the situation.
Once on the beach, Corale received immediate medical attention for bruising and puncture wounds caused by the sea lion. Her sister, Skye, expressed her concern, stating, “I was very worried. I was telling her to calm down.” Corale’s injuries were treated in an emergency room set up at the beach.
This rare sea lion attack is unprecedented for De Marignac, who has surfed these waters since he was six years old. “Never, ever seen something like that,” he admitted. He believes the sea lion’s behavior may have stemmed from territorial instincts, advising beachgoers to respect wildlife and maintain distance.
Despite the trauma, Corale remains undeterred about returning to the ocean. “If something happens, that doesn’t mean that you can’t stop doing what you love,” she affirmed.
This incident raises significant concerns about human interactions with wildlife, especially in popular recreational areas. Officials urge caution and awareness among beachgoers to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Stay tuned for more updates as authorities investigate this alarming attack and its implications for safety at coastal areas.
