17 Mar 2015

Sea lion pups stranded in California by lack of food?

Sea lions, mainly of them pups, are found stranded on beaches in California, raising fears that they have been left starving because of a lack of food.

The precise cause is not clear, but scientists believe the sea lions are suffering from a scarcity of natural prey, forcing nursing mothers to venture farther out to sea for food, leaving their young behind for longer periods.

This year, a record 1,450 starving pups have been rescued in southern California. Mary Beth Steen, director of development for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, said the centre has taken in 285 animals – 10 times last year’s final tally of 28 and double the count for 2013.

Stranding season

“We are particularly concerned because the stranding season usually starts in March and ends in June,” she said. “These are extraordinarily high numbers early in the season.”

Last Friday, SeaWorld shut down its sea lion shows so that the San Diego-based company could use the staff and facilities – including building two temporary pools for the pups – in anticipation of more rescues.

SeaWorld has taken in nearly 500 of the starving animals, according to SeaWorld spokeswoman Kelly Terry.

‘In search for food’

The pups are usually born in June and July, and nurse until January, remaining on shore while their mothers go to sea for food.

NOAA scientists believe that the mothers are not easily finding food and are staying away longer than the normal one- to two-day journey because of changes in water temperature.

At some point, the pups seem to be heading out to sea on their own, and washing up starved and exhausted on California beaches in record numbers.

Most need help to start eating again, and veterinarian Hendrik Nollens said that some of the pups have come in with five or six pounds of rocks in their stomachs.

“They eat them to feel full and have been able to regurgitate them once we can get them to start eating again,” Mr Nollens said.