Wild scene from a popular Newport Beach, California surf spot were an aggressive sea lion was caught on video terrorizing local surfers.
The spot known as The Wedge is located at southeast end of the Balboa Peninsula and is known for producing some of the most powerful waves in Southern California but there was a hazard in the water of mammalian kind that had surfers paddling like crazy this week.
The sea lion was actively chasing surfers in the water and on shore. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center was called to assist and members showed up with a large catch net to trap the sea lion.
Sea lions are naturally afraid of humans and experts believe one explanation for the aberrant behavior could be a toxic algae bloom in the water is making marine mammals ill and affecting their behavior.
It is concerning to see normally docile sea lions become aggressive towards humans but we are thankful the professionals from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center handled the situation humanely and professionally.
ABC7 Eye Witness News reporter David Gonzalez wrote the following statement about the current state of affairs in the waters of Southern Californian and Pacific Marine Mammal Center reposted it in support:
“California sea lions along our coast are getting sick and behaving abnormally due to an ongoing outbreak of domoic acid, a potent neurotoxin produced by algae.
Due to brain damaging effects of domoic acid when ingested, sea lions can display symptoms of aggressive behavior, disorientation, loss of motor skills, agitation, or appear completely comatose. This long-term exposure can lead to permanent brain damage and behavioral abnormalities like you see in this video. See previous posts on DA for more info.
For your safety, please keep your distance in and out of the water and call our rescue hotline if there is a sick or injured marine mammal in Orange County (949-494-3050 ext. 9).
We are heartbroken by the current state of our oceans, which is why we remain steadfast in our mission of ocean conservation, one marine mammal at a time. Your support, awareness, and concern is more important now than ever.”
