
NBC Nightly News: Researchers Investigate Dozens of Sick Sea Lions Along California Coast
- Domoic acid
- Climate change
- Population monitoring
Aired on NBC Nightly News: August 13, 2024
At the Marine Mammal Center, volunteers are responding to nearly 150 sick sea lions that have washed up on the California coast in recent weeks. The animals are showing signs of being poisoned by domoic acid, a neurotoxin from algae that gets into the fish that the sea lions eat. NBC News' Liz Kreutz rides along with the rescuers.
Learn More About Domoic Acid
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/California sea lions\/2019\/cropped-images\/csl-pammysue-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-405-0-2354-1838-1603243352.jpg","alt":"California sea lion Pammysue","label":"Research Library","title":"Domoic Acid Toxicosis","link_url":"\/science-conservation\/research-library\/domoic-acid-toxicosis","type":"page"}

{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/California sea lions\/cropped-images\/csl-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-2-0-1031-1794-1401-1603916128.jpg","alt":"California sea lion","title":"Evaluating Sense of Smell in California Sea Lions and Relevance to Domoic Acid","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/evaluating-sense-of-smell-in-california-sea-lions-and-relevance-to-domoic-acid","label":"Research Paper","type":"publication"}

Evaluating Sense of Smell in California Sea Lions and Relevance to Domoic Acid
Read More{"image":"\/Misc\/Graphics\/domoic-acid-attack.png","alt":"Domoic Acid Attack","title":"Domoic Acid Attack","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/domoic-acid-attack","label":"Online Learning Resource","type":"publication"}

{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/California sea lion\/cropped-images\/sea-lion-pup-shutterstock-451-142-3018-2358-1603915228.jpg","alt":"California sea lion pup","title":"Domoic Acid in Fetal Fluids of California Sea Lions","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/publications\/domoic-acid-in-fetal-fluids-of-california-sea-lions","label":"Research Paper","type":"publication"}

Yes, I want to save a life!

Yes, I want to save a life!
You’ll be giving sick and injured animals the best possible care at the Center’s state-of-the-art hospital. With your gift today, you are giving a patient a second chance at life in the wild.
See Our Latest News
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Other species\/cropped-images\/two-seals-playing-shutterstock-250-0-3211-2510-1602631793.jpg","alt":"two seals playing on a beach","title":"Meaningful Father\u2019s Day Gifts for Ocean Lovers","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/eco-friendly-fathers-day-gifts-that-give-back","label":"News Update","date":"2025-05-09 12:37:57"}

{"image":"\/People\/Action\/Veterinary care\/cropped-images\/cara-field-hs-eye-exam-by-elena-graham-c-the-marine-mammal-center-117-0-1270-992-1746828532.jpg","alt":"Dr. Cara Field performs an exam on a harbor seal pup","title":"Marketplace: Diving below the surface with an aquatic veterinarian","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/marketplace-diving-below-the-surface-with-an-aquatic-veterinarian","label":"In the News","date":"2025-05-05 02:00:00"}

Marketplace: Diving below the surface with an aquatic veterinarian
May 5, 2025
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Elephant seals\/cropped-images\/es-duo-in-pool-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-80-0-1270-992-1746831113.jpg","alt":"two elephant seal pups in a pool","title":"But Why: What\u2019s a seal? What\u2019s a sea lion?","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/but-why-whats-a-seal-whats-a-sea-lion","label":"In the News","date":"2025-05-02 02:00:00"}

{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/California sea lion\/cropped-images\/csl-release-4-5-24photo-by-chris-deimler-c-the-marine-mammal-center-138-0-1270-992-1745348188.jpg","alt":"Four young California sea lions walk on the beach toward the ocean.","title":"Achievements in Ocean Health","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/achievements-in-ocean-health","label":"News Update","date":"2025-04-23 10:20:00"}

climate change
population monitoring
Aliah Meza
California Sea Lion