Hundreds die: mystery solved

During the month of June, researchers reported thousands of sick sea lions and dolphins along the coast of California in the United States.

Hundreds of dead sea lions and dozens of dolphins have been killed along the beaches in recent weeks, the news site writes. CBS News.

– We receive more than 200 sick animal reports every day. Someone says: We are doing our best to keep up with the intense pace statement From Ruth Dover, executive director of the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute (CIMWI).

It can hurt people

Scientists have now discovered a harmful algal bloom that they believe is behind all the sick and dead animals, they write CBS.

Tissue samples from dead animals show results of domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced in a special type of algae. Dolphins and sea lions may have contracted the disease from eating fish and shellfish that have ingested algae.

Affected animals may appear disoriented and agitated. Sea lions have been observed frothing at the mouth, having epileptic seizures, and losing motor skills.

Members of the public who see sick animals are advised to stay away, and notify the Animal Welfare Organization.

Domosyre can also be dangerous to humans, if high levels are ingested, the news site writes. Food that humans consume is regularly tested for the presence of the substance.

– never seen before

Toxic algae occur naturally and are not uncommon for them to occur on the far coasts of the United States. On the other hand, it is not usual to see such high values ​​in June.

– I have never seen such large numbers of dead and sick animals in my 20-year career, says Berman Kowalewski, director of the Channel Islands Cetacean Research Unit, for CBS.

Researchers believe that anchovies eat algae and that sea lions and dolphins then eat anchovies.

– There are a lot of anchovies in the sea now, says Kowalewski.