The annual bloom of algae off California's coastline is gone. Left in its wake are hundreds of dead or sick animals. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.
The algae population grows or blooms every year as the ocean waters warm. The algae produces domoic acid which kills birds, sea lions and other wildlife. Birds and sea mammals get sick by eating fish and shellfish that consume the algae. Biologists say this year's bloom was larger than in past years.
Susan Kaveggia works with the International Bird Rescue Center in San Pedro. She says the number of poisoned and dead birds doubled from last year.
Kaveggia : It was more severe down in Orange County than L.A. County for some reason. I know in Huntington Beach just through the door they got in over 165 live and dead birds.
She says a wider range of bird species and sea mammals were affected this year. Wildlife officials saved dozens of sea lions, seals, gulls, pelicans and other birds. But many animals died before they could be treated. Ed Joyce, KPBS News.
( Photo : California Brown Pelican. Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center, Orange County. )
