There was also a very strong El Ni\u00f1o in 1997 and 1998.<\/p>\n
Jensen reminded people to keep their distance if they come across an animal like this and to keep dogs on a leash.<\/p>\n
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A sick California sea lion died Monday morning on San Francisco’s Crissy Field Beach after it was seen experiencing seizures likely due to a neurotoxin, the Marine Mammal Center confirms.<\/p>\n
Patti Jensen with the Marine Mammal Center suspects that it had domoic acid, which has affected other animals they have rescued.<\/p>\n
The sea lion was seen by beachgoers having several seizures, before officials confirmed its death. It was set to be taken to the Center in Sausalito, but now scientists from UC Berkeley will take it to do a necropsy.<\/p>\n
Jensen said that they are currently seeing a surge in domoic acid rescues.<\/p>\n
“The domoic is from the algae that’s in the water,” Jensen said. “The algae is going through a bloom right now due to the warming ocean temperatures. The fish are eating the algae, and they are passing it on to the seals and sea lions.”<\/p>\n
Jensen said that the neurotoxin affects their brains and that if the seizures go on long enough, it can start to affect their internal organs.<\/p>\n
The “super” El Ni\u00f1o is expected to be bringing warmer water to the California coast.<\/p>\n
The Marine Mammal Center diagnosed the first case of domoic acid in mammals in 1998, according to their website<\/a>. They say that since then, the disease has become more unpredictable and intense.<\/p>\n There was also a very strong El Ni\u00f1o in 1997 and 1998.<\/p>\n Jensen reminded people to keep their distance if they come across an animal like this and to keep dogs on a leash.<\/p>\n
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