More dead marine mammals are washing up in Ventura County as unprecedented flowers of harmful algae in Southern California appear to be exacerbated.
Friday’s Sky5 footage showed at least three deceased whales, a dead dolphin and a confused sea lion along the coast near the Ventura fairground. Necropsies determine whether an animal suffers from high concentrations of domoacid, a neurotoxin that impacts the brain, organs, and nervous system.
Acids have affected the entire Southern California marine food chain in recent months and years and are produced by naturally occurring but toxic algae that have made thousands of birds, sea lions, dolphins and whales sick.
A humpback whales are seen dead on a beach in Ventura County on April 25th, 2025. (KTLA) A whale is seen dead off the coast of Ventura County on April 25, 2025. The lion will be seen on the beach in Ventura County on April 25th, 2025. (KTLA) Dolphins that may be victims of domo acid poisoning will be seen in Ventura County on April 25, 2025. (KTLA)
Several nonprofit rescue groups, including the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and the Channel Islands Marine Wildlife Research Institute, work non-stop to rescue sick animals as reports come.
“We can get to birds and sea lions and take them to the hospital,” said Glenn Gray, CEO of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. “It’s very challenging to get the dolphins in time and get back to treat them. Sadly, by the time the dolphins come to the beach, they usually give up.”
To report sick animals, call Cimwi Rescue Hotline at 805-567-1505 or West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 866-767-6114.
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