Posted On: September 7th 2026, 08:44 pm
We tried to save this sea lion’s life this morning, but sadly could not. A toxic algae bloom of domoic acid is causing a rise in sick and dying sea lions along the coast - over the course of 3 hours, this one had several seizures and ultimately died when the rescuers arrived.
**If you see a sea lion on the beach** especially in a human-trafficked area, it is likely sick and you should call
@themarinemammalcenter at 415-289-SEAL (7325) to report the situation.
🚨Tips for visitors and local community members🚨
1. Stay at least 150 feet away. Sick sea lions can become aggressive, disoriented, or bite without warning.
2. Leash your dogs and keep them away from the animal.
3. Avoid yelling obscenities at the Park Ranger when they politely re-route you or ask you to leash your dog.
4. Before you take a selfie with the dying animal, ask yourself if it’s really necessary.
5. It also helps all of us - people and wildlife alike - to have some basic decency and respect for nature.
To support sea lion hospital care and rehabilitation, you can donate directly to the Marine Mammal Center.