Scientists have uncovered the cause behind a string of unusually aggressive sea lion attacks off Southern California’s coast.
The Marine Mammal Care Center found that toxic algae blooms are to blame, with affected sea lions suffering from domoic acid toxicosis—a neurological disorder.
The toxin, produced by the algae Pseudo-nitzschia, accumulates in fish like sardines, which sea lions consume and leads to seizures and erratic, violent behavior.
This marks the fourth consecutive year of harmful blooms in the region and with sea lion populations soaring to 250,000, encounters are becoming more common and dangerous.
Though treatable with rapid intervention, the condition’s recovery rate remains as low as 50 to 65 percent.