A toxic algae bloom off the Southern California coast continues to sicken sea lions, pelicans, and dolphins, and the care center where hundreds of animals are being treated is already at capacity.
John Warner, CEO of the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro, said the toxic effects of domoic acid are affecting the animals’ brains, making them more aggressive.
“They go from comatose to somewhat disoriented, and in this stage here where they're in the pools, they start to get really hungry and angry,” he told KNX News’ Emily Valdez.
So far, the center has treated 280 sea mammals – nearing their total annual budget for 300 animals. Most of the females that have come in have been pregnant, which makes recovery even more difficult.
“Because the embryonic fluid recycles the toxin through the mom, they're getting re-exposed constantly until they abort the fetus, and their bodies will naturally do that, but they're not going to recover until that happens,” Warner said.
This is the fourth consecutive year that a toxic algae bloom off the coast has sickened marine life.
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People who see a sick or struggling sea lion should stay at least 50 away and call the Marine Mammal Care Center at 1-800-39-WHALE.
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