A controversial beach which allows visitors to watch harbor seals in their natural habitat will now be closed at night after shocking footage revealed two women hitting and kicking the animals.

A round-the-clock 'Seal Cam' was set up at the Children's Pool in La Jolla to capture the dozens of seals on film.  But rather than just attracting nature enthusiasts it also attracted the police after the vicious harassment of the mammals by two young women was caught on film.

The women were filmed sitting on the seals, pulling their flippers and kicking them during the incident on January 24 before the animals rush into the water to escape the abuse. One of the pair takes photographs as the other continues to hurt the animals.

Read more at the Daily Mail