Hundreds of sea lions and dolphins are dying along the California coast and experts believe it's due to high concentrations of toxic algae.
While algae blooms aren't rare, they say this time, it's particularly concerning."It was just bobbing its head, not normal behavior than usual," said Malibu resident Maurice Henao. "We see it out in the water, having fun, doing what sea lions do."
Sadly, it's been an alarming trend the last couple of weeks, especially along the coast of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties where about 100 dolphins have been impacted. "The sea lions appear to be seizuring on the beach and most of the dolphins are showing up dead," said Michelle Kowalewski, the executive director of the
, a nonprofit that works to assess any manmade or natural detriments to whales, dolphins, and porpoises in and around the Santa Barbara Channel."That algae gets eaten by anchovies and then the dolphins and the sea lions eat the anchovies and get sick from the toxin," said Kowalewski. "It affects their brain and then they die.
Wildlife rescue organizations have reportedly been overwhelmed with calls that it's getting hard for them to keep up."Usually, we see about two weeks of peak intensity and then we'll see, kind of, some animals keep washing ashore for another two weeks, but again, this year is not typical so I don't know for sure," explained Kowalewski.Copyright © 2023 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Harmful algae bloom suspected in hundreds of SoCal marine mammal deaths and illnessesA bloom of toxic algae across the Southern California Coast may be responsible for the death of hundreds of sea lions and dolphins. The Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute attended to more than 1000 marine mammals that were reported sick or dead since June 8.
Read more »
What's killing hundreds of sea lions and dozens of dolphins along the Southern California coast?More than 1,000 marine mammals along the Southern California coast have gotten sick or died because of the bloom of toxic algae, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Read more »
Summer is here, but so are harmful algae blooms throughout Northeast Ohio waterWednesday marks the summer solstice and the official start to summer, but scientists warn beach-goers to beware of harmful algae blooms that grow extremely fast this time of year.
Read more »
Algae bloom suspected in hundreds of SoCal marine mammal deaths, illnesses, including 6 in San DiegoA bloom of toxic algae across the Southern California Coast may be responsible for the death of hundreds of sea lions and dolphins.
Read more »
Ex-‘Vanderpump’ Star Wants to Sue Stassi Schroeder Over ‘Harmful’ BookFaith Stowers—a former recurring cast member on 'Vanderpump Rule's and the Black woman at the center of Stassi Schroeder’s racism controversy—set up a GoFundMe page where she’s requesting assistance with legal fees for “justice against Stassi.”
Read more »
Merseyside and Cheshire health officials call for vape banNine public health directors say vapes may have unidentified ingredients that could be harmful.
Read more »