Stranded Sea Lion Crisis Expected to Get Worse

Photos: Color-coded sea lion pups at The Marine Mammal Center; Elementary school children view animals from the observation deck. Credit: Pat Wilson, The Marine Mammal Center

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The sea lion crisis along the California coast continues, with the number of rescued animals in 2015 topping 1,200, according to NOAA. And the situation is likely to get worse. The past two years, the stranding of sea lion pups by their mothers peaked in March and April.

What’s going on? NOAA blames warmer water—the Pacific is 2 to 5 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year. According to the federal agency, the warmer water is making it harder for sea lions to get food. That’s prompting mothers to cast-off their pups to fend for themselves.

Some pups that aren’t abandoned are striking out on their own to find food. Sea lion mothers typically leave their pups on the Channel Islands while they find food, as far north as Monterey Bay, returning in about two days to feed their pups. But sea lions are taking longer to find adequate food supplies, leaving the pups for up to five days. Some returning mothers aren’t able to find their pups because they’ve left.

If you see a sea lion or other marine mammal in distress, phone the nearest marine mammal rescue center:

• The Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Laguna Beach, 949 494 3050
• The Marine Mammal Care Center, San Pedro, 800 399 4253
• California Wildlife Center, Malibu, 310 458 9453
• Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute, Ventura, 805 567 1505

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