The neurotoxin domoic acid is blamed for the extreme distress and deaths of many sea lions along the Central Coast, as well as the deaths of two dolphins and two seals.
Wildlife rescuers are reporting an uptick in diseased sea lions along California's Central Coast. The culprit: domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced by harmful algal blooms. The toxin accumulates in filter-feeding fish such as sardines and anchovies, which are eaten in large quantities by sea lions, dolphins and fur seals.
The toxin naturally flushes from an animal’s system over time, but repeated exposure can result in longer-lasting and more serious effects. Rulli said that an afflicted animal's behavior can be 'all over the board: lethargy, disorientation, classic head weaving ... your classic telltale signs that likely there's an issue neurologically going on associated with the domoic acid poisoning.
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