Giant Sea Lion ‘Jaywalks’ Through Washington Town, Stopping Traffic and Soaking Up the Rain

A jaywalking sea lion brought traffic to a halt in Cosmopolis, Washington, last week after he lumbered from a nearby river into the middle of the road. Chief of Police Heath Layman of the Cosmopolis PD snapped some photos and a video while posting a warning to drivers, writing: “Please use caution on Blue Slough Road, in addition to water over the roadway a large friend is hanging out….”

The huge male sea lion might have been taking advantage of the high tides, heavy rains, and nearby Chehalis River to rest and explore. One photo, snapped by Chief Layman shows the sea lion doing just that — eyes closed, looking like he was simply relaxing and enjoying the rain.

According to the Marine Mammal Center, sea lions occasionally “haul out” of the water to rest, molt (not “mot”), shed their fur, or regulate their body temperature. Sometimes they do it to avoid predators — although in this case, the sea lion was in more danger of getting hit by a car than attacked by an orca or other predator. This sea lion may also have been chasing salmon upstream in the river.

Chief Layman quickly called for help, and agents from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration arrived on the scene to guide the sea lion off the road and back into the nearby river.

Chief Layman noted humorously that the encounter “wasn’t on my bingo card for 2025” and told Fox News that in his 30 years with the department, he has never seen a sea lion on the roadway, though he noted there have been increased sightings of sea lions in the river.

It’s not every day that police issue a traffic warning for sea lions, but this one made a splash in more ways than one. It’s a gentle reminder to slow down and enjoy the rain now and then, courtesy of one very chill sea lion.

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