Officials in Southern California are warning beachgoers to avoid distressed sea lions in the Malibu area, suspecting that they have been sickened by domoic acid from a recent algal bloom. The California Wildlife Center has received two dozen calls about the sick sea lions, urging people to not interact with the animals and instead contact the center for help. Domoic acid events occur when toxic algal blooms produce the toxin, which can then be ingested by marine animals like sea lions through contaminated fish. The toxin can cause severe symptoms and even death, including seizures, “stargazing,” and lethargy. Previous incidents of domoic acid poisoning in marine animals have occurred on the California coast, resulting in deaths of sea lions and dolphins. These harmful algal blooms are becoming more frequent and lasting longer due to global warming. It is important for the public to stay away from distressed sea lions and contact experts for assistance to ensure the safety of both humans and marine animals.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
