Acid outbreak sickens sea lions

A naturally occurring outbreak of acid in the ocean has landed 15 female sea lions in the Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach.

A total of 31 domoic acid cases have been handled by the center in under four months this year, compared with a total of 23 last year, said Emily Wing, director of development and marketing for the organization. Seven sea lions were brought in on Saturday alone.

Domoic acid is a neurotoxin caused by an algae bloom. Sea lions acquire the toxins from eating fish that feed on domoic acid-carrying plankton.

“These girls really bring us down, they’re so ill when they come here,” education director Meg Jones said. “Some of them can’t carry their pups to term.”

Female sea lions may be more susceptible to the sickness than males, because they eat large amounts of contaminated fish when pregnant, Jones said.

The heaviest year on record for the toxic condition was in 2002 when 125 cases came in, Wing added.

The organization is currently treating five cases found in Laguna Beach, Wing said.

At the center, the sick sea lions lie in cages as they soak up the sun on concrete ground.

Friends of the Sea Lions, based at the Marine Mammal Center, answers calls from people who spot the sick animals on beaches. Seizures or weaving of the head back and forth are symptoms of poisoning, Jones said.

“We’ll get a call from State Parks or the local police, find out how big it [the sea lion] is, then come and pick it up,” Wing said.

Once taken to the facility, the mammals are given sedatives to prevent seizures, and an injection of a saline solution to keep them hydrated.

A similar condition which affects humans who eat a large amount of shellfish is known as amnesiac shellfish poisoning.

Each sea lion with domoic acid poisoning will spend on average of two to three months at the Marine Mammal Center to recover fully, Jones said.

“We know they’re recovered when they’re eating well and are alert,” she said.

Upon recovery, the sea lions will be released back into the ocean.cpt.21-sealion-CPhotoInfo3O1Q5GMC20060421ixztr0ncDON LEACH / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)One of several sea lions poisoned by domoic acid yawns in the afternoon sun at Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Canyon, where they are being treated.