A 15-year-old girl from Long Beach is recovering after an alarming encounter with a sea lion that bit her during a swim test over the weekend.
The incident happened on March 30 near a lifeguard tower at 2100 Ocean Boulevard. Phoebe Beltran was in the water, preparing for an important milestone—her qualification test for the Long Beach cadet lifeguard program—when the unexpected attack occurred.
“All of a sudden, I felt something latch onto my arm,” Phoebe recalled in an interview with KTLA’s Sandra Mitchell. “I saw a shadow and panicked, thinking, ‘Please don’t be a shark. Please don’t take my arm.’”
Fortunately, it wasn’t a shark, but an aggressive sea lion—an animal that can grow up to six feet long and weigh as much as 700 pounds.
Onshore, Phoebe’s mother, Bibi Beltran, initially feared the worst.
“I saw something in the water and then someone yelled ‘Shark!’” she said. “We all rushed to help, and when I realized it was my daughter, I completely broke down.”
Phoebe sustained multiple bites and scratches on her arm and hand. While she’s still dealing with swelling and bruising, she escaped without any serious injuries.
Lifeguards quickly swam out to rescue her, pulling her to safety before transporting her to the hospital for medical treatment.
Reflecting on the harrowing experience, her mother said, “She could have been dragged underwater. The thought of what could have happened is terrifying.”
Despite the ordeal, Phoebe remains passionate about the ocean and is determined to complete her lifeguard cadet training once she fully recovers.
“I love the beach. I love swimming. I’m not giving up,” she said.
Marine experts in Southern California have noted that recent toxic algae blooms have been affecting sea lions, sometimes making them behave erratically and aggressively. Experts advise that anyone encountering a sea lion in the water or on the beach should remain calm, avoid eye contact, and slowly back away.
If you spot a sick or stranded marine animal, notify the nearest lifeguard or call 1-800-39-WHALE to report it.
