Phoebe Beltran, 15, was swimming off the coast of Long Beach, California, when she was unexpectedly bitten by a sea lion during a junior lifeguard swim test on March 30. Beltran, a high school student and lifelong ocean enthusiast, was participating in a 1,000-yard swim as part of the junior lifeguard cadet program when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her right arm. “My initial reaction was, ‘I’m getting eaten in the middle of the water, it’s a shark, I’m going to die,’” she told ABC News.
She screamed for help, and the animal quickly released her. Lifeguards responded immediately, pulling Beltran from the water and providing first aid before transporting her to a local hospital. According to officials, she sustained bite wounds on her arm but did not require advanced medical treatment.
Beltran’s mother, Bibi, witnessed the aftermath of the attack. “I don’t have the words to explain the panic in a mom’s heart when they see their child like that,” she said. “It was a rollercoaster of emotions.”
The Mystery Behind Sea Lion Aggression
Following the incident, officials identified the animal as a sea lion, a species not typically known for aggression toward humans. However, marine experts say there has been an increase in abnormal behavior among sea lions along the California coast, potentially linked to domoic acid poisoning—a neurotoxin produced by harmful algae blooms. Sea lions exposed to domoic acid through contaminated fish may exhibit symptoms such as confusion, disorientation, seizures, and, in rare cases, aggression.
Despite the attack, Beltran remains optimistic about her future. She says she didn’t provoke the animal and believes it may have been unwell. “Knowing it happened out of nowhere, I deeply feel like it had something with it being sick,” she said.
Determined to Swim Again
Officials emphasize that such attacks are rare. The Marine Mammal Care Center recommends keeping a distance of at least 150 feet from sea lions and advises swimmers to exit the water if approached by any marine mammal. While Beltran is still recovering emotionally from the experience, she hopes to return to the water and continue her path in marine conservation. “I came out really lucky to have my arm… I just hope people can be more aware of what’s going on in the water, not to blame the sea animals at all,” she said.
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