Latest news with #ChannelIslandsMarine&WildlifeInstitute
Miami Herald
9 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Beating of sea lion caught on camera, CA officials say. Now, man pleads guilty
A sick sea lion resting on a California beach was kicked in the head and beaten with a large piece of driftwood, prosecutors say. Now, 32-year-old Christopher Hurtado, of Santa Paula, has pleaded guilty 'to two felony counts related to the beating of a sea lion suffering on a Ventura beach from recent algae blooms,' the Ventura County District Attorney's Office said in a June 17 news release. McClatchy News was unable to immediately reach an attorney representing the man on June 18. 'Ventura County was outraged by the violence this defendant inflicted on a defenseless animal,' District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said in the release. 'The nature of this senseless attack shocked our conscience and called for aggressive prosecution.' As a woman was walking on the beach with her dog March 4, she spotted 'a sea lion stuck on the rocks in front of the Ventura Promenade' and called 911, prosecutors said. When dispatchers checked live footage from surveillance cameras near the Ventura Pier, they saw the man approach the sea lion and kick it in the head, prosecutors said. Hurtado sat on the rocks for a short time, then grabbed 'a four-foot piece of driftwood,' raised it above his head and hit the sea lion twice, prosecutors said. Officers arrived at the shoreline and detained him as he tried to run away, according to police, McClatchy News previously reported. 'Officers found .06 grams of methamphetamine in Hurtado's pants pocket,' prosecutors said. At the time of the attack, 'the sea lion was alive but suffering from domoic acid poisoning, a naturally occurring toxin in algae that can be harmful to marine mammals,' police said. The Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute responded to keep an eye on the sea lion's condition, according to police. The nonprofit ended up caring for the sea lion at its center but later had to euthanize it due to its domoic acid poisoning, prosecutors said. Just before his trial was set to begin, Hurtado pleaded guilty to 'one count of cruelty to an animal and possession of a hard drug,' prosecutors said. In addition, he admitted to 'special allegations and aggravating factors,' which included having a prior strike and 'that the sea lion was vulnerable,' according to prosecutors. Hurtado, who is being held on $25,000 bail, is scheduled to appear in court July 14 for sentencing and faces three years in prison, prosecutors said. Ventura is about a 70-mile drive northwest from Los Angeles. What to know about domoic acid poisoning The sea lion's death came during an uptick in the number of sea lions suffering from domoic acid poisoning found along the Southern California coast, according to a Feb. 25 Facebook post from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. Domoic acid is produced by the algae Pseudo-nitzschia australis, according to the Marine Mammal Center. '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,' according to the Marine Mammal Care Center. Some symptoms of domoic acid poisoning are 'seizures, bobbing head, erratic behavior and lethargy,' the Marine Mammal Center says. With some domoic acid poisoning cases, the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute said it removes sea lions from the beach. In other cases, however, the organization leaves the sea lion on the beach to 'give the animal space and time to work through the acute phase of the toxin,' the organization said, adding that it continues to monitor the animal. The organization warned those who come into contact with a 'marine mammal in distress' to keep a distance of at least 50 feet.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
Pregnant sea lion attacked in Ventura; suspect arrested
The Brief A California sea lion exhibiting signs of domoic acid poisoning was attacked with a stick at Ventura Beach Promenade. The rescue involved collaboration from Ventura Police, CA State Parks, and US Fish and Wildlife Service. A medical examination revealed the sea lion is pregnant and "the prognosis is not good." VENTURA, Calif. - A suspect caught on camera beating a pregnant sea lion was arrested in Ventura, according to the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute. The adult female California sea lion, exhibiting signs of domoic acid poisoning, was struck multiple times with a large stick by the suspect who was later arrested. What we know The sea lion, referred to as #24, was rescued with the assistance of California State Lifeguards and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Ventura Police Department swiftly apprehended the suspect, who was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail on charges of felony animal cruelty, felony possession of a controlled substance, and violation of federal laws protecting marine mammals. What we don't know The suspect was not identified and the motive for the attack is under investigation. Medical Update An extensive medical examination revealed that the sea lion is pregnant and weighs 197 lbs. Fortunately, x-rays showed no fractures from the attack. However, the sea lion continues to exhibit signs of domoic acid poisoning, including lethargy, involuntary muscle spasms, and seizures. The prognosis remains poor due to the irreversible effects of the neurotoxin, officials said. The backstory Domoic acid is a neurotoxin that causes irreversible brain damage and affects the heart muscle. It is passed in utero, potentially leading to prenatal mortality. The toxin accumulates in fish that consume algae, posing a significant threat to marine mammals that ingest these fish. What they're saying The Ventura Police Department, CA State Parks, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been praised for their swift response and support in rescuing the sea lion. Their efforts have given the sea lion a chance under the care of the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI). What's next CIMWI will continue to provide the best possible medical care for the sea lion, despite the challenges posed by domoic acid poisoning. The community is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any instances of animal cruelty to authorities. The Source Information for this story is from the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute's Instagram post published on March 5, 2025.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sea lions in California 'suffering and confused' likely from toxic algae bloom
Feb. 24 (UPI) -- A toxic algae bloom is being blamed for sickening several California sea lions in Malibu, Calif., according to a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation center. Over four days, the California Wildlife Center said Saturday that it had received 14 calls of sea lions in distress. "Though we have not confirmed the cause for these animals' illness, their signs and the recent rains make the situation highly suspicious for domoic acid toxicity," the center posted on Facebook Saturday. "These animals are suffering and confused; do not interact directly with animals such as sea lions in distress as they may lunge and bite without warning." Domoic acid toxicity is an algal bloom that came from a single-celled organism called Pseudo-nitzschia. There are benign and toxic forms. Animals may be exposed through ingestion of contaminated fish. Sickness signs, according to the center, "include seizures, a craning head motion known as 'stargazing,' and highly lethargic or comatose states." In 2023, hundreds of sea lions and dolphins died in one of the largest toxic algal blooms in Southern California's history. The Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute, which serves Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, responded to more than 600 affected marine mammals. In the summer of 2024, another outbreak popped up in the summer of 2024. It was the third consecutive year of a big algal bloom. The Ocean Protective Council said Southern California wildfires are affecting coastal and ocean ecosystems. "Persistent contamination, habitat degradation and biodiversity loss can disrupt ecosystems for years. Addressing these issues requires long-term monitoring and mitigation efforts, including sediment control, debris removal, and habitat restoration. These actions are critical for maintaining biodiversity, safeguarding economic stability, and preserving California's natural heritage. The state-run agency provided $200,000 to the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, in partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, for a region-wide network to monitor the impacts of the fires.
