Aquatic Park in San Francisco remains closed after sea lion attack

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Aquatic Park Cove in San Francisco in the U.S. west coast state of California has remained closed following two sea lion attacks two days ago, according to an announcement by the city's Golden Gate National Park Service (NPS).

Golden Gate NPS tweeted that the park closure will be in place until Dec. 18, 2017 due to "reports of an aggressive marine mammal biting swimmers in the area."

A sea lion bit a man in the groin area as he was swimming in the waters off San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park on Friday, a park official said, adding that the swimmer suffered "a very serious bite" and was rushed to a hospital.

The Cove is a favorite spot for dedicated swimmers who often swim in the waters in the area, where the attack has been the second in 24 hours.

On Thursday, another male swimmer was bitten by a sea lion on his upper right arm while swimming outside of the Aquatic Park.

Police said the swimmer was bleeding badly from the bite, and was sent to hospital after receiving initial first-aid treatment by first responders.

The Golden Gate NPS has posted signs along the beach of the Aquatic Park, informing the public of the danger. Park Rangers said the two attacks by the sea marine mammal were very unusual. The last similar incident was about 11 year ago. Enditem