![](https://i.imgur.com/CLvY2jA.png")
02-07-2023, 04:08 PM
By
Hilary Hanson
Jul 1, 2023, 12:15 PM EDT
Wildlife officials in Southern California have been inundated over the past month with reports of sick or dead sea lions and dolphins stranded on the beaches.
Experts believe that a toxic algae bloom is poisoning the marine mammals.
......
At least 100 dolphins and 100 sea lions have been found dead, and hundreds more have been found sickened as an apparent result of eating an algae called pseudo-nitzschia.
......
Warming waters as a result of climate change can contribute to algae growth. Though in this case, Milstein said the primary cause appears to be coastal upwelling ― a process that happens when winds push surface waters offshore and deeper water, in turn, gets pulled upwards. That deeper water tends to be rich in nutrients, creating conditions for an algal bloom.
Symptoms of eating the algae include seizures, dehydration and aggressive or lethargic behavior
......
In a few instances, sick sea lions have also bitten beachgoers. At least two beaches in Southern California were temporarily closed earlier this week after biting incidents
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sea-lions...5bc5c72056
Hilary Hanson
Jul 1, 2023, 12:15 PM EDT
Wildlife officials in Southern California have been inundated over the past month with reports of sick or dead sea lions and dolphins stranded on the beaches.
Experts believe that a toxic algae bloom is poisoning the marine mammals.
......
At least 100 dolphins and 100 sea lions have been found dead, and hundreds more have been found sickened as an apparent result of eating an algae called pseudo-nitzschia.
......
Warming waters as a result of climate change can contribute to algae growth. Though in this case, Milstein said the primary cause appears to be coastal upwelling ― a process that happens when winds push surface waters offshore and deeper water, in turn, gets pulled upwards. That deeper water tends to be rich in nutrients, creating conditions for an algal bloom.
Symptoms of eating the algae include seizures, dehydration and aggressive or lethargic behavior
......
In a few instances, sick sea lions have also bitten beachgoers. At least two beaches in Southern California were temporarily closed earlier this week after biting incidents
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sea-lions...5bc5c72056
