Brain-rotting toxin killing huge numbers of marine animals on California coast — Die-offs skyrocket over past week — Expert: “It’s worst year we’ve ever seen” — Mass deaths of sea lions, dolphins, birds — Officials warn outbreak is spreading (VIDEOS)

Watch broadcasts here: KKFX | KSBY

 

 

KSBY, Apr 26, 2017: Marine mammals statewide becoming infected with brain-rotting toxin — A high number of marine mammals in California are falling victim to a brain-rotting toxin… In Santa Barbara County, rescue centers are reporting hundreds of cases. With this outbreak potentially spreading, the Marine Mammal Center in Morro Bay is stocking up on medicine… scientists will be keeping a close eye on what’s happening with these mammals to monitor how else it will affect the marine food chain.

Ventura County Star, Apr 20, 2017: “Friday, we started getting inundated. The floodgates opened,” said [Dover]… Authorities say unusually high numbers of stranded or dead marine mammals and birds have shown up in spots throughout the Southern California coast in recent weeks. Federal and state agencies are working to document the scope of affected wildlife and mortalities… tests are underway to determine the cause of illness and death… they become sick, suffer from seizures and brain damage… The CIMWI hotline started getting about 100 calls on Friday and pretty much every day since, Dover said… [D]olphins have been impacted… Domoic acid poisoning is something he sees year after year, but not to the degree that’s happening right now. “This is the worst year we have ever seen,” Dover said. Beachgoers also have reported large numbers of dead and dying birds… Dover asked that those calling also understand that the agencies have been inundated.

Ventura County Reporter, Apr 26, 2017: Since the beginning of April, beachgoers have reported numerous sightings of discombobulated sea lions and sickly birds… “It has been pretty intense,” said [California State University, Channel Islands, Assistant Professor of Biology Allison Alvarado,] “It was like thousands of birds were being found”… Though domoic acid poisoning is suspected, the exact cause is not as yet determined… [R]eports of unusual numbers of dead or sick animals along the coast stretch from as far north as Goleta and as far south as Malibu…

…

CBS LA transcript, Apr 11, 2017: [Pacific Marine Mammal Center] only had 1 or 2 cases last year.

From last week: Mass die-off ongoing along US West Coast — Experts: ‘Unknown’ organisms eating away brains, hearts… New infection never seen before (VIDEOS)

Full article: Brain-rotting toxin killing huge numbers of marine animals on California coast — Die-offs skyrocket over past week — Expert: “It’s worst year we’ve ever seen” — Mass deaths of sea lions, dolphins, birds — Officials warn outbreak is spreading (VIDEOS) (ENENEWS)