The San Pedro-based Marine Mammal Care Center is in need of donations and volunteers as it combats an algae bloom that has killed or sickened more than 1,000 creatures.
Sea lions experiencing seizures or sickness due to an ongoing bloom of toxic algae have bitten or behaved aggressively toward beachgoers across Southern California, according to experts.Warner — flanked by Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park, county Department of Beaches and Harbors Director Gary Jones, and staffers from the office of county Supervisor Holly Mitchell — demonstrated a temporary 50-by-50-foot overflow shelter along the Marina del Rey beach during Thursday’s news conference.
After Warner called for more help on June 21, Jones said Mitchell “greenlighted” the emergency effort and established the sea lion safe zone within 48 hours. Mitchell’s office also provided security during the Fourth of July to make sure beachgoers would not interfere with the recovering animals. Park’s office also reached out to volunteers through social media and newsletters. Most volunteers were locals, including about seven members of Park’s office, said staffer Gabby Medina.
Warner said the Marine Mammal Care Center staffs 17 people and would have been crippled without the aid of volunteers. During this algae crisis, he said he’s easily received help from “at least 150 volunteers.” Within a two-week span in June, Warner said his office’s rescue hotline received more than 1,000 calls — including reports of animals “seizing and foaming at the mouth,” which he said were symptoms of domoic acid poisoning.
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