Starving sea lion pups fill Calif. rescue centers

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Starving sea lion pups are washing up on Southern California beaches at a rate more than five times higher than usual, and scientists are scrambling to figure out why, officials said Wednesday.

Since the beginning of the year, 1,293 emaciated sea lions found stranded on beaches from San Diego to Santa Barbara have been treated at seven facilities in the state, Sarah Wilkin of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said during a conference call with reporters.

Last month, the agency declared an "unusual mortality event" that allowed more scientists to help search for the cause.

A leading hypothesis is lack of available food. Researchers were also doing tests to see if pollution, disease outbreak or algae bloom are to blame.

Most of the pups being treated weighed between 20 and 30 pounds when they were found, with some as small as 18 pounds. The animals should weigh about 65 pounds by now, she said.

As many as 25 percent of the seals have died after being brought in for treatment.


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Cause unknown.