SOLANA BEACH, Calif. (KGTV) - An injured sea lion spotted on a North San Diego County beach prompted lifeguards to place shark warning signs along a stretch of coastline Thursday.
The incident was reported about 9:30 a.m. at 2525 South Coast Highway near Tower 11 at Cardiff State Beach, according to California State Parks officials.
A jogger reported the sea lion with a missing tail and gash on its back, washed up on the beach.
SeaWorld San Diego experts responded to the area but told 10News the sea lion later died due to the severity of its injuries. They confirmed the female sea lion was bitten by a shark.
Lifeguards posted aggressive shark advisories for beachgoers from Cardiff Reef in the north to Seaside State Beach in the south, officials said.
There was no immediate word on the type of shark involved.
The incident Thursday marks the sixth shark sighting over the last several weeks in the waters off San Diego.
Shark sightings several days in a row prompted shark advisories in Del Mar in July. A shark sighting in Coronado also forced lifeguards to post signs warning beachgoers about the presence of sharks.
A shark advisory means that a shark has been spotted in the water and swimmers should enter at their own risk.
Check out the list below for tips on avoiding any possible shark attacks:
- Avoid the beach at dusk and dawn
- Stay away from river mouths
- Pay attention to lifeguards and their warnings
