Overview

• Nine-year-old Corale Olsen was surfing with her siblings when a sea lion lunged from below, grabbed her leg and briefly pulled her underwater.
• Surf instructor Alex De Marignac rescued all three children by carrying them to shore after an on-duty lifeguard did not intervene.
• Olsen sustained puncture wounds and bruising, received treatment at an emergency room and says she plans to return to the water.
• Researchers and wildlife officials attribute the uptick in sea lion aggression to domoic acid poisoning from recurring harmful algal blooms.
• Park authorities are advising visitors to observe marine mammals from a safe distance to reduce the risk of rare but serious attacks.