Disclaimer: These postings were sent to us from a variety of media sources over the Internet. The content has not been reviewed for scientific accuracy or edited in any manner.

Sea lions hurt by planktonic poison

LOS ANGELES TIMES LOS ANGELES - At least 21 sick or dead sea lions stricken with a debilitating toxin have washed up on southern California beaches in recent days, raising fears that the poison could kill hundreds more during summer.

Three dead sea lions believed to have ingested it were discovered yesterday morning at beaches in the San Pedro area.

On Sunday, four of the ailing mammals - at least one of them pregnant - were rescued from Los Angeles County beaches and taken to a marine care center in San Pedro for treatment. At least three other sick sea lions were found recently on the same beaches.

In Orange County, the toxin has been detected in at least 11 pregnant sea lions in recent weeks; all of them succumbed to illness, said Michele Hunter, director of animal care at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach.

''It's put a tremendous strain on us,'' said Hunter, whose center treated some of the sea lions. ''It's hard for the volunteers and very disheartening to see these sea lions have seizures, because it's not just affecting one life, it's affecting two. They are such beautiful, intelligent, graceful animals.''

The sea lions are suffering from domoic acid poisoning, which is produced by a naturally occurring algae. Sardines, anchovies, clams, mussels and other marine life feed on the plankton. The toxin is then passed on to sea lions, dolphins and sea birds such as pelicans, which eat the fish. The toxin can cause seizures, disorientation, loss of muscle coordination and death.

The neurological disorder's toll on sea lions and other wildlife in southern California waters has increased since 2002 ,and scientists are not sure why. Last year, 75 to 100 sea lions washed up on Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange County beaches. In 2003, more than 1,100 sea lions were sickened by the toxin and 600 of them died.

(Published: May 31, 2005)