{"id":15572,"date":"2025-04-13T04:30:12","date_gmt":"2025-04-13T04:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/15572\/"},"modified":"2025-04-13T04:30:12","modified_gmt":"2025-04-13T04:30:12","slug":"demonic-sea-lions-have-been-attacking-people-in-california-heres-why-according-to-scientists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/15572\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Demonic\u2019 Sea Lions Have Been Attacking People in California. Here\u2019s Why, According to Scientists"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"caas-list caas-list-bullet\">\n<li>\n<p><strong>Surfer Rj LaMendola said he was attacked a feral sea lion on March 21 in California. He later learned the animal had been affected by domoic acid, an algae-produced toxin <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Symptoms for sea lions who eat prey contaminated with the toxin include such things as lethargy, disorientation, foaming at the mouth, erratic behavior, seizures and, in severe cases, death<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>&#8220;These animals are reacting to the fact that they are sick,&#8221; said John Warner, CEO of Los Angeles\u2019 Marine Mammal Care Center <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>California sea lions usually appear as gregarious creatures toward humans, but that isn&#8217;t always the case.<\/p>\n<p>When sea lions have been exposed to \u201cdomoic acid toxicity,\u201d a byproduct of consuming toxic algae, afflicted animals can display unusual behaviors such as their \u201chead swaying back and forth, foaming at the mouth or seizure activity,&#8221; according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cimwi.org\/domoic-acid?fbclid=IwY2xjawJk3eFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHldZsFPUkRhamGOZs6oBCinPPnUUQ33v9UHvGMqnr_-Iroykc75SGmnAQJ6w_aem_MqggxNjP6X2LqNLnch6HJg\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute<\/a> (CIMWI), based in Santa Barbara, Calif.<\/p>\n<p>Rj LaMendola, a surfer, experienced the situation firsthand <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vcstar.com\/story\/news\/local\/2025\/03\/26\/oxnard-surfer-recounts-confrontation-with-sea-lion-sickened-animals-domoic-acid\/82645491007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:during an incident in Oxnard Shores;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">during an incident in Oxnard Shores<\/a> with a sea lion facing domoic acid toxicity.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/rjlamendola\/posts\/pfbid0323pnWadvfGD532wgBS15NcFzwRmuCwq2ihTQxgLvHJNAysesycZczdtosKu9eFVel\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:In a Facebook post;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">In a Facebook post<\/a>, LaMendola recalled being attacked on March 21 by a very aggressive sea lion\u00a0while out surfing by himself. The day started as a normal ordinary session when suddenly the animal hurtled toward him at full speed with its \u201cmouth gaped wide, teeth flashing, and its eyes locked onto me with an unsettling ferocity.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My heart lurched as I instinctively yanked my board to the side, paddling frantically to evade it as it barreled forward, intent on crashing into me,\u201d LaMendola wrote.<\/p>\n<p>Then, when LaMendola\u00a0thought the sea lion disappeared, the animal reemerged from the water and slammed into his board. The beach to the surfer was a distant speck and panic set in.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThen I saw it again\u2014another furious charge, this time more enraged than before. Its movements were erratic, wild, almost unhinged. I turned my board to face it, hoping to shield myself, splashing water and shouting in a desperate bid to scare it off. But it didn\u2019t flinch. It kept coming, unstoppable, its jaws snapping closer,\u201d LaMendola continued.<\/p>\n<p>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/sea-lion-escapes-central-park-zoo-during-flooding-in-new-york-8303067\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Sea Lion Escapes Central Park Zoo Enclosure During New York City Flooding;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Sea Lion Escapes Central Park Zoo Enclosure During New York City Flooding<\/a><\/p>\n<p>LaMendola said the sea lion\u2019s jaws clamped into his butt cheek and pierced through his wet suit. \u201cThe pain was sharp and immediate, but the terror was worse\u2014it shook its head violently, tugging me off my board by my flesh, dragging me into the water,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t know how to describe the fear that gripped me in that moment. So far from shore, so helpless, staring into the face of this creature that looked like nothing I\u2019d ever seen\u2014its expression was feral, almost demonic, devoid of the curiosity or playfulness I\u2019d always associated with sea lions,\u201d LaMendola also noted.<\/p>\n<p>The surfer used his board as a shield against the animal. He eventually made it to the beach and sought medical treatment while left still reeling from the ordeal.<\/p>\n<p>When LaMendola later contacted the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute and told them what happened to him, he learned there had been a \u201cwave of incidents\u201d involving sea lions and other mammals who have been affected by domoic acid toxicity along Santa Barbara and Ventura County.<\/p>\n<p>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/human-interest\/harbor-authority-urges-visitors-not-feed-sea-lions\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Harbor Authority Urges Visitors Not to Feed Sea Lions After Girl Is Dragged Into Water: &#039;It&#039;s Common Sense&#039;;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Harbor Authority Urges Visitors Not to Feed Sea Lions After Girl Is Dragged Into Water: &#8216;It&#8217;s Common Sense&#8217;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-preview\" alt=\"David Swanson\/AFP\/Getty A sick California sea lion with possible domoic acid poisoning is rescued in Santa Barbara, Calif\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ca56e24eba8d48274e233e3e4c501169.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>David Swanson\/AFP\/Getty<\/p>\n<p> A sick California sea lion with possible domoic acid poisoning is rescued in Santa Barbara, Calif<\/p>\n<p>LaMendola wasn\u2019t the only person recently attacked by a sick sea lion. Swimmer Phoebe Beltran, 15, of Long Beach, said a sea lion injured her right arm on March 30, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/04\/06\/climate\/sea-lion-attacks-california\/index.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:CNN affiliate KCAL;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">CNN affiliate KCAL<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was just so scared, so shocked, but I still felt the immense pain on my arms, like, over and over again,\u201d Beltran, who sustained bites, bruises and scratches from the encounter, told the outlet.<\/p>\n<p>According to CIMWI, domoic acid is a neurotoxin produced by the microscopic marine algae Pseudo-nitzschia australis.<\/p>\n<p>Filter-feeders like small fish, shellfish and bivalves aren\u2019t affected when they consume the toxic algae. But when sea lions, sea birds, dolphins and other predators eat the filter feeders, they are \u201cnegatively impacted,\u201d said the institute.<\/p>\n<p>Symptoms for sea lions who eat the contaminated prey include such things as lethargy, disorientation, foaming at the mouth, erratic behavior, seizures and, in severe cases, death.<\/p>\n<p>John Warner, CEO of Los Angeles\u2019 Marine Mammal Care Center told the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cx2778894l1o\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:BBC;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">BBC<\/a> that the toxin affects the behavior of sea lions, which don\u2019t usually attack people.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-preview\" alt=\"David Swanson\/AFP\/Getty A sick California sea lion with possible domoic acid poisoning is rescued in Santa Barbara, Calif\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fc56460775b2170e29a16866e4d39935.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>David Swanson\/AFP\/Getty<\/p>\n<p> A sick California sea lion with possible domoic acid poisoning is rescued in Santa Barbara, Calif<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;These animals are reacting to the fact that they are sick,&#8221; Warner said. &#8220;They&#8217;re disoriented, and most likely, most of them are having seizures, and so their senses are not all fully functional as they normally would and they&#8217;re acting out of fear.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The CIMWI said it has been rescuing and rehabilitating marine mammals affected by the toxin. It reported that it responded to 262 animals suspected of having domoic acid in 2022. That number skyrocketed to 651 the following year.<\/p>\n<p>Warner told the BBC that his Marine Mammal Care Center admitted about 195 sea lions from Feb 20 to the end of March. In comparison, the organization dealt with only 50 sea lions during the same time period in 2024.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/people-news-daily-newsletter-sign-up-8692701\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:PEOPLE&#039;s free daily newsletter;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">PEOPLE&#8217;s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There is no known cure for domoic acid, said the CIMWI, but the animals can be treated and recover through \u201cflushing the toxin from the animal\u2019s body with subcutaneous fluids, administering anti-seizure medication if warranted &#8230; and feeding our patients fish that does not have the domoic acid toxin.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/baby-seal-found-alone-on-busy-connecticut-street-being-monitored-closely-in-aquarium-11682919\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Baby Seal Found Alone on Busy Connecticut Street Being &#039;Monitored Closely&#039; in Local Aquarium;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Baby Seal Found Alone on Busy Connecticut Street Being &#8216;Monitored Closely&#8217; in Local Aquarium<\/a><\/p>\n<p>As for humans encountering a sea lion displaying the symptoms associated with DA toxicity, the CIMWI recommends keeping a distance from the animal\u2014at least a minimum of 50 feet<\/p>\n<p>In his Facebook post, LaMedola said he considers himself lucky that he survived the recent sea lion attack but admitted he still can&#8217;t shake off the memory.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you\u2019re out there on the water, especially around Santa Barbara or Ventura, please be cautious,\u201d he wrote. \u201dThis isn\u2019t normal sea lion behavior \u2014 it\u2019s something darker, something dangerous. I\u2019m grateful to be alive \u2026 and back on solid ground, but I won\u2019t be paddling out again anytime soon, unfortunately.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Read the original article on <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/demonic-sea-lions-have-been-attacking-people-in-california-heres-why-according-to-scientists-11713021\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:People;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">People<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Surfer Rj LaMendola said he was attacked a feral sea lion on March 21 in California. He later&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15573,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3847],"tags":[557,10626,10632,10630,10628,10631,10627,70,10629,16,15,1717],"class_list":{"0":"post-15572","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-wildlife","8":"tag-california","9":"tag-california-sea-lions","10":"tag-channel-islands-marine-wildlife-institute","11":"tag-domoic-acid","12":"tag-john-warner","13":"tag-lamendola","14":"tag-marine-mammal-care-center","15":"tag-science","16":"tag-sea-lion","17":"tag-uk","18":"tag-united-kingdom","19":"tag-wildlife"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114328779664200127","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15572"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15572\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}