A Chimney Rock livestream captured a pair of visitors pelting a resting elephant seal with rocks at Point Reyes National Seashore on Dec. 6, and park officials say they are now trying to track the two down. The footage shows a woman repeatedly throwing stones from an overlook deck while a man stands nearby with a camera. Several rocks appear to hit the animal, a scene that has infuriated wildlife stewards and visitors who have since seen the clip.
According to the National Park Service, the woman had black hair and wore a white baseball cap, a red-and-dark jacket with blue and gold accents, and blue jeans. The man wore a dark jacket with neon-yellow accents and carried a large DSLR-style camera. Both were seen deliberately tossing rocks toward the seal, and investigators are reviewing the livestream to identify them, according to NBC Bay Area. Park staff say they are following up on tips from viewers and social media posts tied to the video.
How the Clip Surfaced
The video came from a Chimney Rock webcam run by the Marine Mammal Center and was flagged after a viewer emailed the center, which then reported the incident to the National Park Service and NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement, per Point Reyes Light. Giancarlo Rulli, a spokesperson for the Marine Mammal Center, told the paper that “this type of severe harassment behavior—throwing rocks at wildlife—is both disturbing and alarming.” The center notes that this kind of harassment is rare across its 600-mile response range and that the footage should aid investigators.
What’s Illegal and What Penalties Apply
The Marine Mammal Protection Act and National Park Service rules make it illegal to intentionally harass or harm marine mammals, and federal authorities can pursue both civil and criminal cases in response. People prosecuted under the MMPA can face civil fines and criminal penalties, including fines in the tens of thousands of dollars and up to one year in jail, depending on the circumstances of the violation, according to NOAA Fisheries. Park rangers and federal investigators typically review the evidence and decide whether an incident crosses the legal threshold for prosecution.
Seasonal Context and Visitor Guidance
Point Reyes is one of the few mainland breeding sites for northern elephant seals, and the animals gather in large numbers on local beaches each winter. To protect them, the National Park Service imposes seasonal closures in the headlands and urges visitors to stay on designated trails, view seals from overlooks, and keep a safe distance, using binoculars or spotting scopes when needed, per the National Park Service. During the season, rangers and volunteer docents are often stationed at popular viewing spots to help people watch the animals responsibly.
How to Help and What Happens Next
Anyone with information about the Dec. 6 incident is asked to contact the NPS tip line at 888-653-0009; park dispatch can also be reached at 415-464-5170, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Park officials say they are working with NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement as they follow up on leads from the public and social media. For now, they emphasize that vigilance by visitors and respect for posted closures remain the strongest safeguards against future harassment of wildlife.
