Experts are calling it one of the worst mass poisoning events in animals they have seen, as they scramble to rescue hundreds of seriously ill sea lions and dolphins washing up along the coast of southern and central California.

Toxic blooms of an algae called Pseudo-nitzschia are thought to be to blame for the large amounts of sick and dead marine life that has appeared on the shores from Orange County to San Luis Obispo County in the first weeks of June.  

Marine animals in the Santa Barbara Channel are hit especially hard.

The algae produce a neurotoxin called domoic acid which enters the food chain and sickens mammals after they eat prey. Tests will confirm whether it’s exactly what’s behind the sea lion deaths. 

Domoic acid is also a risk to people who eat seafood that has accumulated elevated levels of the neurotoxin, the California Department of Public Health warns.

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