Poisoned Sea Lions Cause Alarm As They're Stranded Along Southern California Coastline

OXNARD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: A stranded California sea lion suffering from suspected domoic acid poisoning cranes its head on the beach, before being rescued by CIMWI (Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute) volunteers, on March 27, 2025 in Oxnard, California. Domoic acid poisoning sometimes causes sea lions to crane their heads in an upward “stargazing” motion. Hundreds of sea lions and over 100 dolphins, along with birds, are suspected to have been poisoned from eating fish which ingested toxic algae along the Southern California coastline in recent weeks. This is the fourth consecutive year of a domoic acid harmful algal bloom event along the coast of Southern California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)