Sea lion attacks surfer off Southern California coast

(MENAFN) Rj LaMendola's two decades of tranquil surfing came to a shocking halt last month off the coast of Southern California when he was attacked by a sea lion that bit him and pulled him from his surfboard. In a Facebook update, LaMendola described the creature as "feral, almost demonic," adding, "It looked possessed."

Subsequently, he discovered that the sea lion was afflicted with domoic acid toxicosis, a neurological disorder linked to harmful algal blooms. This incident is part of a troubling pattern, as numerous sick animals have been reported along California's beaches, displaying symptoms like seizures and severe lethargy. The toxin can often lead to death.

This particular algal bloom has persisted for four consecutive years in California, raising alarms that it may be becoming a recurring phenomenon. This year's bloom began earlier than usual and has already extended over approximately 370 miles of the renowned Southern California coastline.

Reflecting on his ordeal, LaMendola, who sustained injuries and required hospitalization after reaching the shore with his wetsuit torn, remarked, "It felt like I was being hunted." In a separate incident further south in Long Beach, 15-year-old Phoebe Beltran was also attacked by a sea lion that bit her multiple times while she was undergoing a swim test to qualify as a lifeguard.

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