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Until now, Southern California’s sea lions have rarely pose any problem for beach fans, surfers and swimmers.
Scientists say the naturally occurring flowers of toxic algae, a neurotoxin, infect local populations of sea lions and other marine mammals, making them lethargic, cause seizures and in some cases aggressive.
Over the weekend, the 15-year-old girl endured a horrific attack by an offensive sea lion during a swimming test for the Cadet Lifeguard program in Long Beach, leaving behind a bite, wound and bruise in her arm.
A week ago, an Oxnard surfer also reported a sea lion attack.
Officials at the San Pedro Marine Mammal Care Center say they are looking at a record number of sick sea lions and dolphins stuck along the Los Angeles coastline, from Malibu to Long Beach.
“We’ve seen over 250 animals so far this year, but we usually only see 300 in a year,” MMCC marine biologist Dave Badder told KTLA’s Angelicakade.
Badder told KTLA that the strength of flowers off the coast of Southern California waters is a result of climate change.
After being attacked by an aggressive sea lion during a swimming test on March 30, 2025, he attacked an aggressive sea lion during a test on the 15-year-old Fee Guard Cadet, a 15-year-old Fee Guard Cadet. On March 30, 2025, Long Beach Lifeguard Cadet Phoebe Beltran (Bibi Beltran) attacked an offensive sea lion on March 30, 2025 in Long Beach with a test swim for Lifeguard Cadet. (KTLA) Marine Mammal Care Center employee brings in another sick sea lion on April 1, 2025. (KTLA) Marine Mammal Care Center employee brings in another sick sea lion on April 1, 2025. (KTLA) Dolphins are likely tired of the poisonous algae flowers that remain in Sosal Beach. (KTLA)
“This isn’t normal,” he said. So, not normal behaviour is one of the things that makes us say, “This animal probably suffers from neurotoxins.” ”
The dangers of those encountering sick and aggressive sea lion can be serious. Marine mammals weigh 700 pounds and can reach 6 feet.
15-year-old girl was attacked by a sea lion in Southern California
For the teenage girl, the lifeguard saw a swimming test and rushed to help her return to the beach, where she was taken to the hospital to treat her injuries. Luckily she has not come out of the water so far, but has not been seriously injured.
The surfers were able to return safely and return to the land.
“If you see a sea lion in or around the area you’re swimming in, I think you should probably get out of the water and give it space for the animal,” Badder said.
Biologists added that, at least for now, toxic algae blooms show no signs of slowing down, and that people should be careful when entering the ocean.
Anyone encountering a disease or a closed marine mammal can warn the nearest lifeguard and call 1-800-39-Whale to report.
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