1 · 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 · 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 · 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
→
2. Small fish
eat the algae
→
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 the algae
You found the algae clue.You know the chain. Next, build it yourself.
3 · 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.
1→2→3Tap the pictures in order.
Food-web challenge
Step 1 of 3
→
→
You followed the food web.Tap Next when you are ready.
BEFORE
healthy
Healthy sea lion
strong swimming · smooth movement · normal hunting
AFTER
not feeling well
What rescuers may notice
head bobbing
weak or shaky
confused or wobbly
strange movement
stuck on the beach
You spotted the differences.
Tap Next when you are ready.
5 · 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
→
Care
→
Recovery
Start with the cover photo, then tap the buttons beside it.
A sea lion needs help
This sea lion washed onto the beach. Tap below to see how rescue teams helped.
RescueResponders keep the sea lion and people safe.
Hospital careSea lions rest while care teams watch them.
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
50–65%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 · 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.
🔬 Scientists watch blooms and test the water.
🛟 Rescue teams care for sick sea lions.
🌊 Visitors can give wildlife space, report sick animals, and help keep water clean.
Rescue · care · 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.