No more demon sea lions? Good news for those who've been afraid to go to the beach
After a brutal spring of toxic algae blooms turning some sea lions into sick, snarling seaside hazards, anxious beachgoers can breathe a sigh of relief as experts say the worst of the poisoning is over.
This week, the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro excitedly announced that they had seen no new patients with domoic acid poisoning nor any recent signs of Pseudo-nitzschia algae in Southern California waters.
"This was the longest, most toxic, and deadliest bloom we've ever experienced," the center announced on social media. "Because of your support and advocacy, we got through it, and hundreds of marine mammals received a second chance at life!"
This year's poisoning event pushed the center to its limits as it treated more than 400 marine animals, including scores of sick sea lions and dolphins.
It was also marked by several reports of aggressive sea lions attacking people in the water.
Read more: 'Feral, almost demonic': Surge in poisoned sea lions threatens SoCal beachgoers, burdens rescuers
A 15-year-old girl was bitten by a sea lion while completing a swim test for her Junior Lifeguards program in Long Beach at the end of March. A few weeks prior, a surfer was reportedly accosted by a 'feral, almost demonic' sea lion that he said dragged him off his board in Oxnard and stalked him in the water.
The California coastline can experience large-scale blooms of an algae called Pseudo-nitzschia australis when warm water combines with excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Researchers say that climate change and an increase in agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge, and urban stormwater have increased the scale and frequency of these blooms in recent years.
Small fish including anchovies and sardines ingest the toxic algae, which then bioaccumulates in larger marine mammals like sea lions that eat the fish.
Ingesting domoic acid can cause sea lions to have seizures or to crane their heads in a motion known as 'stargazing.' They can also fall into a comatose state. Experts advise people not to interact with animals believed to be sick because they might aggressively lunge or even bite.
Southern California saw another major poisoning event in 2023, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 sea lions. If taken in for prompt treatment, poisoned sea lions have a 50% to 65% survival rate, according to the Marine Mammal Care Center.
Although the worst of this year's crisis appears to be over, the center still has its work cut out to tend to the sick animals and prepare for the next bloom.
In order to meet the growing regional need, the center says it is expanding its hospital facility, increasing its rescue capacity and securing research funding to better understand toxic algae blooms.
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Thunderstorms sweep across SoCal, with lightning bringing risk of fire-starts
An unseasonable series of thunderstorms were sweeping across Southern California on Tuesday, bringing with them the potential for fire-starting lightning strikes in areas with limited rainfall. In the Los Angeles area, storms gathered around the San Gabriel Mountains in the morning before descending into urban areas and traveling southwest across the region and along the coast, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Kittell. Every part of L.A. is within earshot of thunder today, he said. The storms have brought significant thunder and lightning but generally have been accompanied by light rainfall, a tenth of an inch or less. "It is kind of a dry lightning setup where you get the lightning that could start a fire but not the rain that would put it out," he said. "Thankfully so far we haven't seen any reports of any fire. We hope it stays that way." In addition to posing the risk of igniting a wildfire, lightning also poses a danger to human and animal health. "Almost 100 people are killed every year from being struck by lightning in this country," said Kittell. "Definitely heed nature's warning call when you hear that thunder and find shelter." Fortunately, the lighter rainfall levels have decreased the risk of a debris flow taking place in the Eaton and Palisades fire burn scars, a possibility forecasters warned of Monday. But the storm system is bringing heavier rains farther inland, and the Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for San Bernardino County, where some areas had collected up three-quarters of an inch of rain by 4:30 p.m. The heaviest rainfall in the Los Angeles region was in higher mountain regions, with Mt. Baldy recording 0.31 inches of rain by 4:30 p.m., Kittell said. Tuesday's storms are a rare occurrence as the Southland typically sees the bulk of its thunderstorms in August and September. "It's really an unusual low pressure system pulling in this moist, tropical air from Mexico," said Kittell. "We just don't see that kind of system move through our area this time of the year." The storms are forecast to continue rolling through Southern California on Tuesday evening before gradually exiting the region by around 10 p.m., Kittell said. Wednesday will also see high humidity and the chance of scattered showers. More typical June weather is forecast to return Thursday, with a marine layer hovering over the coast and moderate temperatures across the Los Angeles County. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bakersfield girl who faced deportation and loss of lifesaving medical care is allowed to stay in U.S.
The family of a 4-year-old Bakersfield girl with a rare medical condition has been granted humanitarian protection from deportation, allowing her to continue receiving lifesaving treatment in the United States. The plight of the girl, whom The Times has identified by her initials, S.G.V., drew public outrage and galvanized dozens of lawmakers to advocate on her behalf. The girl and her parents, who are from Mexico, originally received temporary permission to enter the U.S. legally through Tijuana in 2023. The Trump administration had rescinded the legal protections of S.G.V. and her parents, leaving them vulnerable to deportation. Her doctor at Children's Hospital Los Angeles said she could die within days of losing her medical care for short bowel syndrome, a condition that prevents her body from completely absorbing nutrients from food. 'By moving quickly, the agency has ensured that a four‑year‑old girl can continue receiving the specialized medical treatment that keeps her alive,' said the family's attorney Rebecca Brown of the nonprofit Public Counsel. 'However, many families still face harm under the sweeping policy to do away with humanitarian parole. We ask the government to ensure that no one be put in harm's way." Read more: 4-year-old Bakersfield girl facing deportation could die within days of losing medical care Last week, 38 congressional Democrats, including California Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, condemned the termination of the family's status and urged the Department of Homeland Security to reinstate it. "Without action, S.G.V. will die," the lawmakers wrote May 29 to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. "We urge a prompt response from your Department and a swift decision to extend this family's legal status in the U.S." The lawmakers wrote that the family's situation "clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid." In a letter Monday to the family and their attorney, acting field office director Carmen Paniagua of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services wrote: "This is to advise you that effective June 2, 2025, you have been granted Humanitarian Parole for a period of one year." In April, the girl's mother, Deysi Vargas, received notice from the federal government that their humanitarian protections and permission to work legally had been terminated. The notice told them to leave voluntarily or else 'the federal government will find you.' An online fundraiser for S.G.V.'s care amassed more than $40,000 as of Tuesday. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dating apps used in Mexico to lure and kidnap U.S. citizens, officials warn
U.S. citizens who visit Mexico are being warned that they may be at risk of being kidnapped by people who lure them in through dating apps, according to federal officials. The U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara warned that the victims of such schemes were kidnapped in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit areas in recent months, according to a news release. The consulate did not say how often this type of crime has occurred or whether any suspects have been arrested. Victims and their family members were extorted for large amounts of money in order to be released, officials said. Some of the victims met their captors in residences or hotel rooms. Officials didn't specify the dating apps that were used but urged people to be careful while using dating apps in Mexico. Authorities also suggested that app users only meet in public places, avoid isolated locations, and tell a loved one where they plan on going, details of the person they're meeting and the app being used. They also advised people to trust their instincts and to call 911 in case of emergency. Read more: Why Mexico is banning drug war ballads The Mexican state of Jalisco, which includes the city of Puerto Vallarta, has been classified as 'Level 3: Reconsider Travel' due to kidnappings and crime. The state of Nayarit, which includes the city of Nuevo Nayarit, has been classified as 'Level 2: Exercise Caution' because of crime. Dating apps have also been used in the U.S. to target victims. In Los Angeles this spring, four people violently robbed and shot at a victim whom they met on a dating site, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. On April 28, a male victim met with a woman he connected with on a dating site near South Occidental Boulevard and Beverly Boulevard, according to the LAPD. Two more people arrived in a vehicle and one man pointed a gun at the victim and demanded his property. The assailants then went through his car and forced the victim to hand over his phone and provide the lock code. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
