Federal judge orders rope to protect seals during pupping

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A federal judge on Thursday ordered San Diego to put up a rope barrier at the Children’s Pool beach in La Jolla to protect pregnant seals and their nursing pups.

The decision trumps an earlier ruling by a Superior Court judge banning the rope. More than a hundred seals are known to lounge on the beach, crowding out people.

Dorota Valli, seal campaign coordinator for the Animal Protection and Rescue League, says the rope is necessary to keep tourists from harassing the seals during pupping season.

The issue of seals vs. people at the Children’s Pool has been heavily litigated, with more court action to follow.

Tony Perry, San Diego