Sea lions are attacking people in the waters off California’s coast. Here’s why

Del Mar beachgoers report seeing marine life affected by toxic algae

With a recent bloom of toxic algae, beachgoers in coastal North County have been seeing dead or sick sea lions, dolphins and other marine life washed ashore over the last few weeks. The city of Del Mar announced that lifeguards have been getting daily reports of beached marine life, including sea birds. Government agencies, including Del Mar, have also been warning beachgoers to stay away from beach animals. “A bloom of poisonous domoic acid has…

Toxic algae could be causing sea lions to attack

Sea lions do not often attack humans, but a slew of recent assaults points to an algae that scientists say is poisoning the animals — and making them more aggressive. This algae releases a neurotoxin that affects sea lions' brains, causing them to behave erratically and leading to attacks on humans that are almost never seen.Several attacks from sea lions have been reported in recent months, particularly in California, where the animals are prev…

Sea Lions Attacking Humans In Southern California. Here's Why

The sea lion attack on a Long Beach girl in the waters off the California coast a week ago has led to many asking why the creature exhibited such erratic behaviour. The March 30 attack on Pheobe Beltran, 15, was the second such incident along the 70 miles of Southern California shoreline in recent times, according to multiple reports. Experts claim a recent surge in algae-induced toxins among marine creatures might be one of the reasons for unpr…

Sea lions are attacking people in the waters off California’s coast. Here’s why

Along some seventy plus miles of southern California coastline, usually curious and playful sea lions are attacking humans in the water. At unprecedented levels, the animals are being poisoned by the ocean they live in and many are dying

Recently, California has faced a series of attacks by sea lions on bathers and surfers, an unusual behavior for these animals, which are generally considered docile. Among the victims, Phoebe Beltran reported being bitten while preparing for lifeguard training. Another surfer also shared his experience, describing it as extremely traumatic. According to experts, these attacks may be related to domoic acid poisoning, a toxin produced by harmful a…

• A change in the ocean is altering the behavior of these animals.