Distressed sea lions, suspected of suffering from toxic algae, prompt warnings in Malibu
Wildlife officials suspect the sea lions have been sickened by domoic acid from a recent algal bloom. It's not immediately clear what may have caused an algal bloom in the area.
Southern California officials are advising beachgoers to avoid distressed sea lions in the Malibu area.
Concerned citizens have made two dozen calls to the California Wildlife Center since late last week, the agency said in an Instagram post on Sunday. The center suspects the sea lions have been sickened by domoic acid from a recent algal bloom.
“Though we have not confirmed the cause for these animals’ illness, their signs and the recent rains make the situation highly suspicious for domoic acid toxicity,” the post said.
The center warns beachgoers to not interact with the animals on the beach and instead contact their team for help with distressed animals.
What is a domoic acid event?
A domoic acid event can happen when toxic algal blooms produce domoic acid toxin, according to the Marine Mammal Care Center. The blooms that produce the toxin result from a specific type of algae.
Once the toxin is produced, smaller fish can eat the algae. Bigger animals like sea lions can then become sick from the contaminated fish.
Once ingested, the toxin can cause severe symptoms and even death.
“In its toxic form, DA damages the brain and heart, even in low doses. Signs in marine mammals include seizures, a craning head motion known as ‘stargazing,’ and highly lethargic or comatose states,” the center said.
Sickened animals may “lunge and bite without warning," so the public needs to stay away, the center said.
Harmful algae blooms have sprouted before
Other incidents of domoic acid have occurred on the California coasts before. Back in 2023, the waters of central and southern California saw a harmful algae bloom, also known as a "red tide."
During that event, sea lions and dolphins arrived on the shores experiencing symptoms like foaming at the mouth, seizures, confusion, lack of appetite and unpredictable behavior, similar to the sea lions this weekend.
The 2023 bloom left hundreds of sea lions and dolphins dead.
Another incident in 2024 described by the Marine Mammal Center as a "highly unusual" algae boom also left hundreds of sea lions poisoned.
According to the center, the "red tides" usually reach their peak during the late spring, but due to global warming, the peak season has extended sometimes into the autumn.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for Paste BN. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.