‘Deranged’ sea lion attacks on California beachgoers blamed on toxic algae

Sea lions ingest smaller creatures such as anchovies and sardines who eat the poison algae, which has bloomed seasonally in California for the past four years.

A toxic algae has led to an uptick in sea lion attacks on beachgoers in Southern California, according to experts in the area.

The typically docile and playful creatures can become violent and disoriented when infected with domoic acid toxicosis, a neurological disease caused by seasonal algae that is poisonous to sea lions.

In late March, surfer and wildlife enthusiast RJ LaMendola was out on the water when he was ambushed by a sea lion north of Los Angeles.

The 20-year surfing veteran shared in a Facebook post on March 21 that he was riding the waves in solitude when a sea lion appeared out of nowhere and began ferociously charging at him.

LaMendola recalled dodging the creature’s initial approach before it disappeared beneath the water’s surface, leaving him scrambling for the shore.

Before long, the animal reappeared, baring its teeth and looking like “a deranged predator,” this time making forceful contact with his board, according to his post.

After a short struggle, the sea lion sunk its teeth into LaMendola’s buttocks and dragged him into the water.

“I don’t know how to describe the fear that gripped me in that moment. So far from shore, so helpless, staring into the face of this creature that looked like nothing I’d ever seen—its expression was feral, almost demonic, devoid of the curiosity or playfulness I’d always associated with sea lions,” he wrote.