An interactive ocean storyWhy Did the Sea Lions Need Help?
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1 ยท A real rescue

The story began with a sea lion that needed help.

In 2025, many sea lions in Southern California looked sick, tired, or confused, so rescue teams rushed to help them.
100+ help calls a dayPeople were calling because they were seeing sick or stranded sea lions and dolphins on local beaches.
What to do: Look at the picture. Then tap the 3 things you notice.
Southern California ยท 2025
0 / 3 things noticed
What do you notice?
I notice the sea lion is on the beach and needs help.
I notice a trained rescuer is helping.
I notice this was part of a bigger problem, with many calls about sick animals.
You looked carefully!People could see something was wrong. Tap Next when you are ready.
2 ยท Under the microscope

Scientists found the cause in the water.

They found tiny algae called Pseudo-nitzschia. Some can make a harmful toxin called domoic acid.
How the toxin reaches a sea lion
1. Algae make domoic acid
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2. Small fish eat the algae
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3. Sea lion eats the fish
Tap
What to do: Tap the 3 algae with red spots. The red spots show which algae are making domoic acid.
Microscope view
0 / 3 found
red spot = toxin maker
What do the red spots mean?A red spot means that algae is making domoic acid. Tap the 3 algae with red spots to find the algae making the toxin.
Real microscope photo of Pseudo-nitzschia algae
Real microscope photo of the algae
You found the algae clue.You know the chain. Next, build it yourself.
3 ยท Follow the ocean clue

How does the toxin get from tiny algae to a big sea lion?

It moves through the food web, one bite at a time.
The fish can still look healthySmall fish called anchovies can eat the algae. Then sea lions eat the fish and swallow the toxin too.
1โ†’2โ†’3Tap the pictures in order.
Food-web challenge
Step 1 of 3
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You followed the food web.Tap Next when you are ready.
4 ยท Before / after

What is different?

A healthy sea lion moves one way. A sick sea lion may move very differently.
A sea lion may need help Domoic acid can make a sea lion feel weak, wobbly, or confused. Some bob their heads, end up on the beach, and need help from rescue teams.
2025 outbreak By March 27, more than 150 affected sea lions had been documented in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, with about 16 more rescued in San Diego County. Source: NOAA Fisheries
Tap BEFORE and AFTER to compare the two sea lions.
Healthy California sea lion swimming underwater
BEFORE
healthy
Healthy sea lion strong swimming ยท smooth movement ยท normal hunting
Sea lion affected by domoic acid poisoning
AFTER
not feeling well
What rescuers may notice
head bobbing
weak or shaky
confused or wobbly
strange movement
stuck on the beach
Before: healthy sea lion A healthy sea lion swims smoothly, finds food, and moves with good control.
You spotted the differences. Tap Next when you are ready.
5 ยท People to the rescue

How did people help the sea lions?

Rescue teams moved sick sea lions away from danger, cared for them, and helped many return to the ocean.
Follow one sea lion through the rescue.
Rescue โ†’ Care โ†’ Recovery
Start with the cover photo, then tap the buttons beside it.
Trained marine mammal rescue team helping a sea lion on a beach
A sea lion needs help This sea lion washed onto the beach. Tap below to see how rescue teams helped.
Wildlife responders using rescue boards around a sea lion on a Southern California beach
RescueResponders keep the sea lion and people safe.
California sea lion resting beside a rehabilitation pool
Hospital careSea lions rest while care teams watch them.
Sea lions resting together while recovering in care
RecoveryCare continues until the animal is stronger.
REAL PHOTOS
Tap the big buttons to change the photo.
Choose what to see
140+sea lions in care by late March
50โ€“65%survived when treated in time
550+sea lions and dolphins helped in early 2025
2025 numbers: Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles and NOAA Fisheries.
Helping really can make a difference. Fast calls and fast rescue gave many sea lions a better chance to recover.
6 ยท The human connection

People can help the ocean stay healthy.

These algae existed long before people. But people can change ocean conditions in ways that sometimes help a harmful bloom grow bigger.
The ocean clue and peopleWarmer water and extra nutrients can make a bloom more likely to grow.
Turn on both factors to see how a bloom can grow.
Bloom lab

The end.

When the ocean changes, sea lions may need help. The good news is that people can help too.

๐Ÿ”ฌ Scientists watch blooms and test the water.
๐Ÿ›Ÿ Rescue teams care for sick sea lions.
๐ŸŒŠ Visitors can give wildlife space, report sick animals, and help keep water clean.
Rescue ยท care ยท ocean health
See what scientists watch
1
Climate change

Climate change can warm the ocean and sometimes make it easier for harmful blooms to grow.

2
Extra nutrients

Runoff and wastewater can carry extra nutrients into coastal water.

Natural bloomThe algae already live in the ocean. Sometimes the conditions around them change.