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Arts & Entertainment

Photos: Sea Lion Goes Shopping In Gift Shop

sea_lion_cave_store_3.jpg
A young sea lion wanders the Cave Store in La Jolla (via The Cave Store)

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Don't you hate it when customers linger around when it's time to close up?On January 21, La Jolla's historic Cave Store had an unexpected guest show up right as the shop was about to close for the day. A young sea lion that "had no interest in leaving" wandered around the shop, at one point even climbing a counter and probably peering at some shiny object on a shelf. "I was at the register with some customers when this little sea lion came up the 145 steps into the store," manager Rachelle Agosti told the La Jolla Light. Inside the store is access—via the aforementioned 145 steps—to the Sunny Jim Sea Cave below.

"It climbed all over our displays and throughout the store," said Agosti. "Eventually, we got the sea lion out to Goldfish Point and from there, it went down the cliffs and into the ocean."

Sea lion visits Cave StoreCheck out the security camera footage of our sea lion customer!

Posted by The Cave Store on Thursday, January 21, 2016

As amusing as this situation was, we hope it isn't one of the thousands of hungry young sea lions that have wound up wandering far inland this past year in search of food. Scientists aren't entirely sure why it's happening, but believe it may have to do with warmer sea temperatures. And even though La Jolla is a nice section of San Diego with sea caves and stunning views of the ocean, they have a
very stinky sea lion problem.


A young sea lion wanders the Cave Store in La Jolla (via The Cave Store)

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A young sea lion wanders the Cave Store in La Jolla (via The Cave Store)
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