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":"\/People\/Action\/Veterinary care\/cropped-images\/Harris_Green turtle_TMMC-0-0-1270-992-1767649941.jpg","alt":"Heather Harris","title":"Seattle Aquarium Awards Dr. Heather Harris With Prestigious Conservation Research Award","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/seattle-aquarium-awards-dr-heather-harris-with-prestigious-conservation-research-award","label":"In the News","date":"2026-01-05 04:48:00"}
Seattle Aquarium Awards Dr. Heather Harris With Prestigious Conservation Research Award
January 5, 2026
Read More{"image":"\/People\/Action\/Veterinary care\/cropped-images\/harris-teaching-tube-feeding-0-0-1270-992-1767650122.jpg","alt":"A veterinarian and two trained volunteers tube feed an elephant seal pup.","title":"Training College Students in Marine Mammal Health","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/training-college-students-in-marine-mammal-health","label":"News Update","date":"2026-01-05 04:48:00"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Harbor seals\/2013\/cropped-images\/hs-bogey-photo-by-Ingrid-Overgard-c-the-marine-mammal-center-382-0-2914-2276-1605061447.jpg","alt":"harbor seal Bogey","title":"Top Eco Friendly Valentine\u2019s Day Gifts","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/top-eco-friendly-valentines-day-gifts","label":"News Update","date":"2026-01-01 01:00:00"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Harbor seals\/2020\/cropped-images\/hs-barnwood-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-315-0-3299-2577-1607370547.jpg","alt":"harbor seal Barnwood","title":"Last-Minute Gift Guide \u2013 Top Gifts that Give Back to Marine Animals","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/last-minute-gift-guide","label":"News Update","date":"2025-12-18 01:00:00"}
Last-Minute Gift Guide – Top Gifts that Give Back to Marine Animals
December 18, 2025
Read More