Moonspear it gets better

The children were quite incredulous about the dangers of sea lions -- as Charon had once been, before he realised how dangerous they could be -- and had all sorts of arguments why they were't. But their mass alone was a force of nature and Charon wouldn't take any risks, especially so far from home. Just believe me on it, he answered curtly, not explaining in detail what exactly was dangerous about them or how you could tell if one was limping. Instead he kept inspecting the group, hoping to find a wounded or smaller one on the outskirts.

Jarilo pointed out a sea lion first, even though he did not sound too confident. Charon looked at the smaller sea lion and assessed the situation, then decided: Let's try it. It was on the side of the group at least, so it would be easier to cut off. Stay away from their mouths, they're very strong and surprisingly fast. The neck or back is the easiest target. They have throats like any other species but it's harder to rip it than a deer's, and unsafe because it's so close to their mouths. Charon had not that often hunted sea lions himself, usually he just scavenged, so it was a bit of a trial and error whether they'd actually make it. He started making his way to the side of the ground, where the little one -- a young one, indeed -- was, who had not noticed anything so far. But soon as they came closer another -- presumably a parent -- started barking and the little one raised its head. Cut it off, but be careful the adults won't close in. If they do, we have to run away. It would be too dangerous to stand between the adult sea lions and their cubs, so their only bet was cutting it off and being menacingly enough that the adults decided this pup just wasn't worth the risk.