'Unbelievable': Dozens swarm dock where sea lion grabbed girl, despite warnings

On Saturday, a girl was yanked off a dock in Richmond, B.C. by a California sea lion. Moments before, her family had thrown bread to the animal.

Video of the incident has been viewedmore than 14million times. Marine experts and port officials have sent out a slew of warnings,remindingthe public to keep a safe distance from the animals.

• Watch the video here

However, many near the area seem to be doing just the opposite.

On Monday, the StevestonFisherman's Wharf was packed with cellphone-wieldingtourists and localstrying to catch a glimpse of the celebritysea lion. Children leaned over the dock's edge, craning for a look.

Bob Baziuk, general manager for StevestonHarbour Authority, said he'sflabbergasted.

"Unbelievably, last nightthere were about 100 people down there, mostlytourists,maybesome of them locals, picking up their kids and holding them overthe water looking for theinfamoussea lion," he told CBC News on Monday.

"Sometimes yougottagive your head a shake," he added. "Steveston'sgoing tobecome synonymous with the 'Jaws' themepretty soon. You have a hungry animal and these people are dumb enoughto feed it."

One tourist at the dock on Monday told the CBC she and her grandchildren had come down to the wharf with hopes of seeing the animal.

"We've come to see the sights and we heard about the big sea lion," the Ontario woman said, adding she hadn't seen the viral videofirst hand.

Male California sea lionsweighmore than 270 kilograms and can swim at speeds of up to 40 km/h. When sitting on land, they're about1.8 metres (6 feet) tall.

Bacteria in the animals' mouths"can cause very serious infections that may lead to amputation of a limb or even death."

Experts with the Vancouver Aquarium havewarned that the animalscould "absolutely jump up" on a dockif they wantto.

"We need to make sure we're giving these animals the space they need ... don'thabituatethem.Let them be wild animals," said DanielleHyson, a marine mammal trainer.

New signs appeared on the dockSaturday, warning people not to feed the sea lions. The posters saythemaximum penalty for "disturbing" a marine mammal is $100,000.

Baziuksaid the authority is looking at printingsignsin more languages such as Mandarin andCantonese to ensure tourists understand. Posters with a universal image are also being considered.

Still, he'sfrustrated things have gotten thisfar.

"I could put a massive sign up in every language, but to me it's the element of common sense."

"With all of this that's happened, I want to take advantage of the media coverage to get the message out there: For crying out loud, use common sense when you're around creatures and the water in general respect it."

• Family slammed for 'reckless behaviour' after sea lion drags girl into water

With files from CBC'sAnita Bathe