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Four sea lions were released into the Venice seas on Wednesday after being treated for malnutrition and shark bites among the toxic algae in Southern California.
The Marine Mammal Care Center, which has rescued an unprecedented number of diseased animals along the Southern California coast for nearly four months, said this year’s algae bloom lasted 14 weeks.
Four puppies released near the pier in Venice on Wednesday morning did not suffer from toxic algae, but two were malnourished and the other two had shark bites. However, they were treated by the centre when they were overwhelmed by marine creatures that were sick by the flowers. Hundreds of animals, including sea lions, pelicans, whales and dolphins, have become prey to the disease.
Care centre officials said this year’s toxic algae bloom season could eventually end.
Marine biology experts also fear that algae flowers will affect mammal conservation. The Channel Islands are breeding grounds for nearly 85% of all sea lions in California, so many women are unable to carry the entire period of pregnancy.
“Their bodies are so destroyed that they will be cancelled with miscarriages and fetuses,” said John Warner, CEO of the Marine Mammal Care Center, adding that most of the female sea lions rescued this year are pregnant. “We don’t know what the long-term effects of this seizure activity and neurotoxin will be, but this year we have low birth rates in the Channel Islands.”
Earlier this month, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved an allegation filed by supervisor Lindsey Horvath to provide $100,000.
Marine mammal care center to support responses to flowers.
The allegations noted that the organization had cared for at least 410 marine mammals in early May so far in 2025, but its annual budget only houses 300 animals.
Officials said staff at the center treated more than 500 animals during the first months of the year, making thousands of calls on hotlines about sick animals.
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