The rope keeping the public away from the seals at the La Jolla Children’s Pool beach is back up. The controversy over the animals continues, but some visitors to San Diego don’t see why it’s an issue. KPBS reporter Katie Orr has details.
It’s late morning at the Children’s pool, and a crowd of people are standing above the beach gazing at the seals. A thin rope stretches across the sand, keeping people back as the animals begin their pupping season. The seals are oblivious to the years of legal battles their presence has created. So too are many of the tourists visiting the beach. Chris Lonson was snapping some pictures.
Lonson: This is a nice spot you know. We come from Chicago, my cousin says go to the Cove, you come right down here and, you know, it’s an attraction. So I think that they should keep the seals here and let the people swim everywhere else. You know what I mean? Seems fair, right?
A federal judge ordered the city to put up the rope, granting a request from a seal protection group. The decision overrules an earlier state court order to remove the rope.
Katie Orr, KPBS News
