Record Year for Sick Seals in San Pedro,CA

From the Contra Costa Times...

Each one of the sleek, whiskered sea lions recovering at the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro has its own story.

Some are visibly struggling for life and lie listlessly near in-ground pools. Others swim, play and jostle with one another.

But they are all seriously ill with malnutrition, gaping wounds from fishing line injuries, broken and scarred fins, busted jaws or brain damage from domoic acid poisoning.

Some of the damage was caused by humans who shot, clubbed or threw so-called seal bombs at the mammals. The explosives are tossed into the water to scare away seals from fishing areas. Other injuries come from predators or disease.

Even though it has been a record year for sick harbor seals, sea lions and elephant seals, experts say it could get much worse.