Residents Urged To Keep Away From Beached Wildlife In Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — A growing number of sea lions affected by a toxic algae bloom found in Orange County waters has been keeping the crew at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach up to their ears in work.

Residents who visit Laguna's beaches were urged to stay away from all marine mammals they see on the beach during this event.

Beach goers were also told to not push beached animals back into the water, as it could cause more harm to them.

The toxic algae bloom that has spread down the California Coast from San Luis Obispo County has been harming more than 1,000 sea lions and dolphins.

The massive bloom was produced by a species of marine plankton fueled with a toxin called domoic acid.

It has been spreading across the waters of the California Coast, as well as sickening and killing the more than 1,000 sea lions and dolphins that have eaten the infected plankton, according to previous reports.

Residents who come into contact with beached marine life were asked to immediately contact the Pacific Marine Mammal Center's hotline at 949-494-3050.