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Wildlife officials have warned the public about the toxic algae bloom, which affects marine mammals along Los Angeles County beaches.
On Monday evening, Hermosa City Beach posted an “urgent marine wildlife warning” message to X, telling beach fans to be 50 feet away from isolated marine mammals.
The warning is that sea lions, dolphins and other mammals suffer from domoic acid poisoning after months of closure of land.
Experts say domo acid is a naturally occurring toxin in algae that is potentially deadly to marine mammals like sea lions and dolphins.
Channel Islands Marina and Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) said water temperatures within coastal ecosystems, increased exposure to sunlight and increased nutrients contribute to the bloom of toxic algae.
The Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute shared these undated images of sick sea lions and efforts to help them. The Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Research Institute shared these undated images of sick sea lions and the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Research Institute. The Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute shared these outdated images of sick sea lions and efforts to help them.
“If filter feeders (such as small fish, shellfish, bivalves) consume toxic algae, they are not affected,” Cimwi explained. “However, predators like sea lions, seabirds and dolphins eat these filter feeders, they are negatively affected by toxins accumulated in their prey.”
In recent years, high levels of neurotoxins have caused extensive beaches for sea lions and other marine mammals who are too sick to swim and can experience life-threatening symptoms such as seizures, brain damage and unpredictable behavior.
Toxins are naturally washed away from the animal’s body, but medical intervention may be required for repeated exposure.
A man was recently arrested for beating a sea lion infected with a large stick in a ventura. Officials said it was very important that diseased animals be left unattended to protect them and the public.
Officials said the sick sea lion can show a mix of symptoms.
Stargaze (head stretches backwards, staring at the universe) Disorientation head weaving foam foam bubble unstable behavioral non-reactive involuntary muscle trembling that can’t escape the tidal zone
If you see sick sea lions or other mammals, don’t get away. Instead, observe it from at least 50 feet away, determine its exact location and report it to Cimwi Rescue Hotline at 805-567-1505 or Marina Mammal Care Center Rescue Hotling at 1-800-39-Whale (94253).
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