Dead dolphins wash up ashore along Southern California coast
Dead sea animals washing ashore along SoCal beaches
Scientists are trying to figure out if the cause is linked to a toxic algea bloom.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - Aerial images from SkyFOX captured heartbreaking images from a beach in Los Angeles County's South Bay as several dolphins washed up dead.
What we know:
On Wednesday, SkyFOX flew over Vista Del Mar as three dead dolphins were being looked at by wildlife officials.
At least two sea lions have turned up dead on shore near El Segundo.
Dead dolphins wash up on shore in SoCal
In El Segundo, multiple dolphins have washed up dead on the beach. Other sea animals have also been discovered dead on Southern California beaches, killed by domoic acid poisoning.
Wildlife experts point to a neurotoxin known as domoic acid or DA as the cause of death for dozens of birds and marine mammals that have been washing up on shore along the Southern California Coast.
"Unfortunately this disease does cause brain damage when they get a heavy dose of the toxin and when it’s not treated immediately," said Rebecca Duerr with the International Bird Rescue.
Experts say debris and runoff from the recent wildfires can fuel the toxic algae bloom which then makes its way up the food chain after being consumed by critters and small fish.
According to the Marine Mammal Care Center’s Facebook page, in just the past few days alone, their team has responded to more than fifty sick or dying marine mammals.
The organization which relies heavily on volunteers and donations calls this the worst toxic algae bloom ever in Los Angeles County with an unprecedented number of dead dolphins washing up on shore.
Beachgoers can report sick animals to the Marine Mammal Care Center by calling (800) 39-WHALE, or the California Wildlife Center at (310) 924-7256.
What we don't know:
While deadly toxic algue bloom has been linked to sick sea lions, the circumstances leading up to the deaths of the sea animals this week remains unclear.
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