Toxic algae is likely responsible for the death of a sea lion found on a San Francisco beach. The animal was seen having seizures Monday near the Presidio before the Marine Mammal Center was called to respond. The organization later confirmed the sea lion had died and said the likely cause was exposure to domoic acid, a powerful neurotoxin produced by harmful algae blooms. The Marine Mammal Center says there has been a significant increase in cases of sea lion poisoning linked to domoic acid since the start of summer. Sea lions can be exposed to the toxin by eating fish and other seafood that have become contaminated. Domoic acid poisoning can cause neurological symptoms, including seizures and abnormal behavior. Wildlife experts are continuing to monitor marine mammals along the Northern California coast as harmful algae blooms persist and more animals could be at risk of exposure.
