Video of Sea Lion Left Bleeding After Fight at SeaWorld Brings PETA Complaint to Feds

For Immediate Release:
July 9, 2026

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Video footage taken on July 5 at SeaWorld San Diego, which appears to show two sea lions fighting—leaving one with a bleeding puncture wound and multiple abrasions—has prompted PETA to file a complaint this morning with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). PETA is calling on the agency to investigate the abuse‌ment park for apparent violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), which requires incompatible animals to be housed separately, ensure that the injured sea lions receive appropriate veterinary care, and confirm that they are no longer forced to perform or housed together.

In the video—posted to Instagram and reviewed by wildlife veterinarian Dr. Mason Payne—one sea lion can be seen with an active puncture wound near their left flank, as well as abrasions on their head and body. Dr. Payne confirmed that the wound requires veterinary treatment and evaluation to determine whether it penetrated the abdominal cavity and to prevent infection. The sea lions continued fighting as they entered the water, with one appearing to latch onto and twist the other—behavior that Dr. Payne said likely caused additional punctures or lacerations.

“A sea lion was left injured and bleeding because SeaWorld treats animals as props for photos rather than individuals with their own social needs,” says PETA President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is calling on the USDA to investigate SeaWorld for holding animals in conditions so stressful that they lead to disturbing attacks and reminds everyone to stay away from any facility that imprisons sea lions or other animals.”

Under AWA regulations, incompatible marine mammals cannot be housed in the same enclosure or housed “near other animals [who] cause them unreasonable stress or discomfort or interfere with their good health.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—points out that when it comes to the ability to feel pain, hunger, and thirst, a sea lion is a dog is a boy. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.