Sea Lions

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Context

• The Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute reported 1,000 sightings of sick and dead marine mammals from June 8 through 14.
• They were found dead and sick along the coast of Southern California.
• Many sick sea lion and new born pups are rescued from the beach and taken care at marine mammal care centres.

Other Details

• Outbreak of algae bloom, also known as red tide, is being blamed for causing sickness and death to sea lions and dolphins.
• As per California wildlife experts there is a sudden surge in animals falling ill to a neurotoxin.
• Small fish consume the toxin and pass it up the food chain.

Symptoms of Sickness

• Swaying their heads back and forth.
• Foam at the mouth.
• Experiencing seizures.
• Lying listlessly in the surf.

California Sea Lions

• The scientific name of California sealions is Zalophus californianus.
• These animals belong to the family Otariidae.
• This coastal eared seal is one of six species of sea lions and is native to western North America.

Features

• Large and playful eyes.
• Pale to dark brown in appearance but seems black when wet.
• A thick neck.
• They can reach a maximum length of about 2.5 metres.
• Weight could be as heavy as 1200 pounds.
• In captivity it can live more than 30 years.

Significance

• Important for Marine diversity.
• Tourist attractions and hence can contribute to support economy.
• Sea lions are considered a sentinel species, it means they are the animals that can help identify environmental risks to humans.

Diet and Habitat

• They feed on a wide variety of seafood, mainly squid and fish, and sometimes clams.
• They could be found along the western coast and islands of North America, from southeast Alaska to central Mexico.
• It is mostly a coastal animal that frequently comes out from the water when swimming.
• Highly trainable and are generally friendly to humans.

Threats

• Algae Bloom
• Introduced species, such as dogs, carry diseases that can spread to sea lions.
• Climate change effect on ocean currents makes their survival difficult by severely affecting the food (fish) availability.
• Their by-catch in fisheries could be another threat for their survival.

Conservation Status

• California sea lion are considered as Least Concern as per IUCN Red list.
• It is protected by the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), 1972.

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/sick-sea-lions-washing-ashore-in-california-due-to-algae-bloom/article67018344.ece