An outbreak of illness in sea lions due to toxic algae that began in Malibu was continuing to expand Tuesday, reaching as far south as Redondo Beach and prompting experts to warn the public not to interact with the affected animals.
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According to the Marine Mammal Care Center, the number of sea lions affected by the domoic acid toxicosis has more than tripled over the last week. As of Tuesday, 27 sea lions were being treated at the center, up from 10 last week.
Domoic acid is an algal bloom resulting from a single-celled organism called Pseudo-nitzschia. There are benign and toxic strains that animals may be exposed to through ingestion of contaminated fish. In its toxic form, the toxin 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.
When conditions are right, waters off the coast of California can experience large-scale toxic algal blooms that are capable of sickening hundreds of sea lions in a matter of weeks, causing them to wash ashore at an alarming rate -- sometimes a dozen a 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 L.A. County coastline," according to MMCC. "Combining these two events will almost certainly lead to capacity issues at MMCC's hospital in San Pedro."
But center officials said a more pressing concern is warning people to avoid interacting with animals on the beach. They noted that sea lions affected by the domoic acid "can be especially aggressive, often awaking from a seizure with little notice."
According to the center, a family with children approached an adult male sea lion displaying seizure behavior in Manhattan Beach on Monday and began petting him.
"This family was incredibly lucky they did not get bit," according to the center.
On Sunday, a family gathered around a sea lion in Redondo Beach to take a photo, scaring the animal into the water, "preventing it from being rescued that day and potentially leading to it drowning if it had a seizure in the water."
MMCC officials urged people to stay clear of stranded animals on the beach and reported them to the center by calling 800-39-WHALE (94253).
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