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Aggressive Sea Lion Causes Panic Among Surfers at Newport Beach
Surfers at the renowned Newport Beach in California experienced a chaotic scene as an assertive sea lion started charging at them in the Pacific Ocean waters. The incident forced beachgoers to scramble ashore at this popular surf destination, highlighting growing concerns about unusual sea lion behavior linked to toxic algae blooms along the Southern California coast.
Surfers Flee Belligerent Sea Lion at The Wedge
Dingo, a Newport Beach local, was recording activity at The Wedge on Tuesday – a well-known surf location – when he witnessed approximately a dozen surfers hastily paddling back to the beach, according to reports from ABC 7. The commotion in the water stemmed from a combative sea lion that was aggressively pursuing individuals, exhibiting atypical actions for this species.
Witness Account of “Craziest” Sea Lion Encounter
‘This is one of the craziest events I’ve ever witnessed here,’ Dingo recounted to Eyewitness News.
Terrifying footage posted on his YouTube channel shows surfers frantically paddling toward the shore, constantly looking back for the persistent marine animal following them.
Another video segment captured the sea lion leaping through waves in pursuit of a surfer on his board, appearing to be in close proximity.
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‘The perceived danger wasn’t initially very high,’ Dingo explained to the news outlet.
‘I felt as though everyone was successfully distancing themselves from the sea lion in a sensible manner, and I personally never felt threatened, except for the moment it lunged at that surfer attempting to get to shore,’ he added.
An aggressive sea lion was captured on video charging at surfers in the waters of California’s iconic Newport Beach
In recent months, sea lion attacks have become increasingly and unexpectedly frequent on Southern California’s coast despite the mammal typically being fearful of humans
The sea creature, which had been actively pursuing people both in the water and on shore, seemed to calm once the waters cleared – only to make its way toward the panic-stricken beach
Capture and Euthanization of the Sea Lion
After the waters cleared, the sea creature, which had been actively chasing people both in the ocean and on the sand, appeared to calm down, only to then head towards the alarmed beachgoers.
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center responded to the beach and, despite some resistance from the animal, successfully captured the defiant sea lion using a large net.
Dr. Alissa Deming, a veterinarian, attributed the sea lion’s unusual aggression to a growing problem affecting California’s coastal waters. She noted that these animals are typically wary of humans.
Toxic Algae Bloom: Root Cause of Aggressive Behavior
Dr. Deming explained that toxic algae blooms impacting Southern California’s coastline are making marine mammals ill. This sickness disrupts their normal cautious behavior, significantly contributing to these abrupt incidents of aggression.
According to Dr. Deming, the sea lion’s lack of fear was consistent with prior cases of seizures related to algae blooms, which she indicated can cause permanent brain damage.
‘It displayed symptoms consistent with chronic domoic acid intoxication, and due to its untreatable condition and the serious public safety risk it posed, the only humane course of action in this instance was euthanasia,’ she informed Eyewitness News.
Given the increasingly unpredictable behavior of sea lions, Dr. Deming advised individuals to immediately leave the water if they encounter one.
Sad Outcome Despite Surfer’s Initial Calmness
Despite his initial assessment of the situation, Dingo expressed sadness regarding the sea lion’s unfortunate and tragic end.
In the terrifying footage, dozens of surfers were seen desperately paddling towards shore in unison, constantly glancing over their shoulders for any sign of the unexpected sea creature trailing behind them
Dr. Alissa Deming, a veterinarian, attributed the sea lion’s unusual aggression to a growing issue plaguing the state’s bodies of water – toxic algae bloom – which leaves the creatures sick and disrupts their typical, wary behavior, significantly contributing to their sudden acts of violence (pictured: Dr. Alissa Deming)
Another clip from the attempted Newport Beach attack showed the sea lion leaping through waves as it chased a surfer on his board, appearing to trail just a heartbeat behind
‘These animals are magnificent creatures,’ he said to Eyewitness News. ‘We enjoy seeing them around here.’
‘We coexist with them in the water, and most of the time, it’s quite peaceful.’
Statewide Increase in Sea Lion Aggression
Animal experts in Los Angeles are investigating a surge in incidents involving sea lions biting and scratching people across California beaches. These marine mammals are generally known to be amiable.
Just last month, a California surfer was left deeply disturbed after being attacked by a sea lion possibly infected with a ‘zombie-like neurotoxin’.
RJ LaMendola described his harrowing experience at Oxnard State Beach Park in a Facebook post, encountering what he termed a ‘deranged predator.’
Without warning, the animal emerged from the water and charged toward him ‘at full speed’ with its ‘mouth wide open’ and teeth visible.
After multiple attempts, the agitated animal bit down forcefully on his left buttock.
LaMendola reported experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the March encounter, calling it ‘the most terrifying and traumatic experience in my 20 years of surfing’.
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center arrived at the beach and, despite some resistance, managed to capture the defiant sea lion with a large net. The creature was later ‘humanely euthanized’
According to Dr. Deming, the sea lion’s lack of fear was consistent with previous cases of seizures linked to an algae bloom, which she explained leads to permanent brain damage
Earlier this month, the Marine Mammal Care Center discovered that the behavior change of sea lions was tied to the increasing number of toxic algae blooms forming in the area – the same cause Dr. Deming cited in connection with the recent attempted attack at Newport Beach
‘The pain was intense and immediate, but the fear was worse – it shook its head violently, pulling me off my board by my flesh, dragging me into the water,’ he stated.
‘Its expression was wild, almost demonic, completely lacking the curiosity or playfulness I had always associated with sea lions.’
‘My wetsuit was ripped where it bit me, with a jagged tear exposing the puncture wound in my buttock.’
The surfer recounted stumbling back onto the beach bleeding, but managed to drive himself to a nearby hospital.
Domoic Acid Toxicosis: The Culprit
Earlier this month, the Marine Mammal Care Center announced that tests on aggressive sea lions revealed they were suffering from domoic acid toxicosis – a neurological condition triggered by exposure to harmful algae.
John Warner, CEO of the Marine Mammal Care Center in Los Angeles, explained that domoic acid accumulates in local fish like anchovies and sardines as they swim through these algae blooms.
Sea lions consume these contaminated fish, leading to toxin accumulation in their bodies, eventually causing seizures and disorientation.
Brian O’Rourke, Newport Beach Fire Department Chief Lifeguard, urged surfers to stay away from sea lions after Tuesday’s incident, despite acknowledging that they ‘may look docile and really approachable’ but are still wildlife (pictured: Brian O’Rourke)
Tests on the suddenly aggressive sea lions that victims described as ‘demonic’ revealed that they were suffering from domoic acid toxicosis – a neurological condition caused by exposure to the harmful algae
Domoic acid builds up in local fish, including anchovies and sardines, as they swim through these blooms before they are eventually eaten by sea lions, contaminating their bodies with the toxin and eventually causing seizures and confusion (pictured: California sea lion suffering from domoic acid poisoning struggles in April)
Sadly, as sea lions become increasingly ill, the brain damage causes them to react defensively and aggressively towards anything nearby, including humans.
‘These animals are reacting because they are sick,’ Warner told the BBC. ‘They are disoriented, and most likely, many are experiencing seizures, so their senses are impaired, and they are acting out of fear.’
Toxic Algae Blooms a Recurring Problem
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), toxic algae blooms have been developing in Southern California for the fourth consecutive year.
NOAA explained that strong offshore winds in California displace surface water, drawing colder, deeper water upwards in a process known as upwelling.
This deep water is rich in nutrients like nitrogen, which accelerates algae growth in sunlight.
While generally beneficial for marine life, certain algae can proliferate excessively, leading to massive blooms that release toxins harmful to fish, shellfish, and humans who consume them.
Domoic acid toxicosis originates from an organism called Pseudo-nitzschia, which can form algal blooms in the water.
These harmful Pseudo-nitzschia blooms produce domoic acid, which contaminates marine life that swims through it.
California surfer RJ LaMendola was riding the waves at Oxnard State Beach Park last month when a sea lion erupted from the water, hurtling towards him ‘at full speed’ with its ‘mouth gaped wide’ and teeth gleaming before biting his left butt cheek, leaving him with PTSD (pictured: RJ LaMendola)
Domoic acid toxicosis stems from an organism called Pseudo-nitzschia (pictured), which can grow into algal blooms in the water. The blooms produce the domoic acid, which infects marine life swimming through it
The Marine Mammal Care Center has already admitted 195 sea lions suffering from domoic acid toxicosis at the end of March – nearly four times as many than the center treated at the same point last year (pictured: a California sea lion suffering from domoic acid poisoning struggles in March)
Warner added that his organization had already admitted 195 sea lions with domoic acid toxicosis by the end of March.
This number is almost four times higher than the center treated during the same period in 2024.
Adding to the concern, the effects of the toxic algae seem to be more severe this year compared to previous blooms.
Increased Sea Lion Population Adds to Public Safety Concerns
Another factor contributing to the increased worry about sea lion aggression is their population surge in recent decades.
The California coast now supports around 250,000 sea lions, a significant increase from just 1,500 in the 1920s.
Lifeguard Warning: Maintain Distance from Sea Lions
‘Firstly, sea lions may appear gentle and approachable, but they are wild animals,’ Brian O’Rourke, Newport Beach Fire Department Chief Lifeguard, stated to Eyewitness News after Tuesday’s incident.
‘Please keep your distance from them.’