Beachgoers flee sparring sea lions in viral video: ‘Godzilla is chasing them’

A TikTok clip showing the panicked frolickers running helter-skelter has nearly 10m views, but experts say it's common behavior

A TikTok video showing dozens of San Diego beachgoers running and jumping out of the way of two fast-moving sea lions has generated nearly 10m views and sparked conversations about whether the mammals were going after people and reclaiming picturesque La Jolla Cove's narrow strip of sand.

But sea lion expert Eric Otjen of SeaWorld San Diego said what he saw was normal sea lion behavior for this time of year, when males are sparring as breeding season gets underway.