More than 200 dead dolphins and sea lions have washed up on California beaches and hundreds more are in distress. Experts believe a toxic algal bloom crisis is to blame.
Experts have said toxic algae blooms on the West Coast are causing serious neurological problems in wildlife – while one local described seeing vicious sea lion attacks as if they were on “a bad acid trip.”
The algae are believed to have killed more than 100 sea lions and nearly 100 dolphins, according to CNN and organizations receive more than 60 reports per hour of creatures in need.
“It’s like the waves of a tsunami continue to wash over our local beaches with even more sea lions and dolphins suffering from domoic acid,” said Ruth Dover, co-founder and general manager of Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute.
Her organization has received hundreds of calls in recent weeks about the animals in need, with the sea lions showing signs of eating domoic acid.
More than 200 dead dolphins and sea lions have washed up on California beaches and hundreds more in distress, with experts believing a toxic algal bloom crisis is to blame
Domoic acid is a neurotoxin that is transferred up the food chain from fish to larger mammals, causing mass mortality and sometimes turning the water crimson, causing a phenomenon known as the “red tide.”
The Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) said it has received reports of sea lions biting surfers, divers and people on the sand, and even attacking dogs.
CIMWI has told visitors not to pour water on the sea lions, even when it is hot outside, as this could exacerbate their “compromised condition” and even trigger an attack.
They also urged people not to touch the animals in any way, feed them, harass them or get too close to take selfies.
CIMWI warned that any of these actions are considered a federal crime punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for up to one year.
“Keep your distance and distance from your dog. Remain 50 feet (four car lengths) for your safety and the health of the animal,” a spokesman for the institute said.
A resident of the California coastal town of Ventura said she witnessed sea lions acting like they were on “a bad trip,” including one biting a diver and another repeatedly knocking a paddleboarder off his board.
Justin Greenman, a stranding coordinator at NOAA Fisheries, said the “completely overwhelming” wave of dead or sick animals is “one of the largest in memory” and shows no signs of slowing down.
Experts have said toxic algae blooms on the West Coast are causing serious neurological problems in wildlife – while one local described seeing vicious sea lion attacks as if they were on “a bad acid trip.”
The algae are believed to have killed more than 100 sea lions, sea lions and nearly 100 dolphins
CIMWI has told visitors not to pour water on the sea lions, even if it’s hot outside, as this could exacerbate their “compromised condition” and even trigger an attack.
Justin Greenman, a stranding coordinator at NOAA Fisheries, said the “completely overwhelming” wave of dead or sick animals is “one of the largest in memory” and shows no signs of slowing down.
Organizations receive more than 60 reports of creatures in distress per hour
He and Dover both comment that volunteers are exhausted from having to try and save these creatures.
‘[The groups] do get some federal funding, but that’s really a small drop in the ocean,” Greenman said.
“But we have a lot of people who have put so much of their time and hearts into it, and it’s starting to take its toll.”
“Our team members are physically tired and emotionally drained,” Dover added.
“It’s very hard to see an animal suffering from domoic acid, and we all want to help them.”
In a study published earlier this year, the average annual number of flowers observed increased by 59.2 percent between 2003 and 2020 — the equivalent of 2.19 percent per year.
This increasing bloom frequency correlated significantly with ocean temperature, suggesting that “bloom-favorable seasons in these temperate seas are extended in warmer temperatures.”