A toxic algae bloom that began in Malibu expanded this week, reaching as far south as Redondo Beach and prompting experts to warn the public not to interact with ill sea lions.
According to the Marine Mammal Care Center, the number of sea lions affected by the domoic acid toxicosis has more than tripled since last week. As of Thursday, 35 sea lions were being treated at the center, up from 10 last week and 27 on Tuesday.
Domoic acid is an algal bloom resulting from a single-celled organism called Pseudo-nitzschia. Marine animals become exposed to both benign and toxic strains when they eat contaminated fish. Toxic strains damage the brain and heart, even in low doses. Signs of domain acid in marine mammals include seizures, a craning head motion known as “stargazing” and highly lethargic or comatose states.
Certain environmental conditions in waters off the California coast can lead to large-scale toxic algal blooms capable of sickening hundreds of sea lions within weeks, causing them to wash ashore at an alarming rate, sometimes a dozen each day.
MMCC officials said the center is bringing in three to five animals per day.
“This is also the time of year when starving young elephant seal pups begin to strand along the LA County coastline,” according to an MMCC social media post. “Combining these two events will almost certainly lead to capacity issues at MMCC’s hospital in San Pedro.”
Center officials added that a pressing concern for people to avoid interacting with animals on the beach. T
“Sea lions affected by domoic acid can be especially aggressive, often awaking from a seizure with little notice,” according to the center. “This is a safety issue for people and their pets as much as it is for the marine mammals.”
The center reported that a family with children approached an adult male sea lion displaying seizure symptoms in Manhattan Beach on Monday and started to pet the animal.
“This family was incredibly lucky they did not get bit,” according to the MMCC.
On Sunday, a family gathered around a sea lion in Redondo Beach for a photo opportunity and scared the animal into the water. That prevented the sea lion “from being rescued that day and potentially leading to it drowning if it had a seizure in the water,” center officials said.
They urged the public to stay away from stranded animals on the beach and report them to the center by calling 800-39-WHALE (94253).
