More dead marine mammals have washed ashore in Ventura County as the unprecedented bloom of harmful algae in Southern California appears to be worsening.
Sky5 footage on Friday showed at least three deceased whales, a dead dolphin, and a disoriented sea lion along the coast near the Ventura Fairgrounds. Necropsies determine if the animals were afflicted by high concentrations of domoic acid, a neurotoxin that impacts the brain, organs and nervous system.
The acid is produced by naturally occurring but toxic algae that has impacted the entire marine food chain in Southern California in recent months and years, sickening thousands of birds, sea lions, dolphins and whales.
Several nonprofit rescue groups, including the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute, have been working nonstop to rescue sick animals as reports come in. They say sea lions can sometimes be nursed back to health, but in the case of dolphins, there is very little they can do.
“We can get to a bird or sea lion and bring them into our hospital,” said Glenn Gray, CEO of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. “Getting a dolphin in time and getting it back in time so it can be treated is extremely challenging. Sadly, usually by the time a dolphin comes on the beach, they’re giving up.”
To report a sick animal, call CIMWI’s rescue hotline at 805-567-1505 or the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 866-767-6114.
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