A heartwarming rescue effort is underway in California as a marine mammal care center provides aid to sick sea lions affected by a recent surge in algae bloom.
This phenomenon, also known as red tide, has led to the illness and death of an undetermined number of sea lions and dolphins.
Experts are closely monitoring this situation, as sea lions are considered sentinel species that can help detect environmental risks to humans. The Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro, along with other organizations, has been working diligently to rehabilitate these animals. The Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute alone has reported 1,000 instances of sick and deceased marine mammals within a week.
Algae blooms, a natural occurrence, produce a neurotoxin called domoic acid, which is responsible for the health issues. However, human activities like climate change and excessive nitrates flowing into the sea can contribute to the proliferation of these blooms. Although the toxin does not affect humans directly, it can accumulate in shellfish, posing risks to those who consume them.
Sea lions, a beloved presence on California’s beaches, are now displaying distressing symptoms such as head swaying, foaming at the mouth, and seizures. Some of the afflicted animals lie motionless along the shoreline. Remarkably, amidst this crisis, a newborn pup was born on Hermosa Beach to a sick mother who is currently receiving fluids while nursing her pup.
The dedicated teams at the care center are providing necessary medical attention to these sea lions, aiming to rehabilitate them within 30 to 60 days before releasing them back into the wild. John Warner, the CEO of the Marine Mammal Care Center, emphasized that their ultimate goal is to ensure the animals’ successful return to their natural habitat.