A 15-year-old girl was attacked by a sea lion while swimming in Long Beach, California, causing concerns that increased algae-linked poisonings among marine animals may have triggered aggressive behavior. The attack happened during a Junior Lifeguards swim test, with witnesses onshore seeing the sea lion before it swam away. The girl was briefly hospitalized for arm injuries; however, the exact cause of the sea lion’s unusual aggression remains undetermined. The incident coincides with reports of hundreds of animals falling ill due to toxic algae off the southern California coast. Experts note that while sea lions and seals rarely bite, the neurotoxin from the algae can manifest severe behaviors, including aggression. Responders are overwhelmed with stranded marine animals, leading to hard decisions about which can be saved. The occurrence marks the fourth consecutive year of a major domoic acid outbreak, which appears to be perpetuated by warming temperatures and changing ocean conditions, raising alarms over our climate crisis’s impact.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/02/california-sea-lion-poisoning