A man was arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly assaulting a domoic acid-infected sea lion on Ventura Beach.
According to a press release from the Ventura Police Department, the surveillance footage captured a man who was later identified as 32-year-old Christopher Hurtado, attacking the California Sea Lion on Harbor Avenue. The man hit the beach animal with a big stick.
Police said police detained Hertado, who was trying to escape, and found methamphetamine. Hurtado was booked for suspected felony abuse, felony possession of controlled substances and violation of federal laws protecting marine mammals.
Officials say sea lions suffer from polysaccharide poisoning. California State Park officials informed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Adult female California sea lions were taken to a treatment center for monitoring, according to the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute.
“Intentionally harassing or injuring a sea lion is a crime under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. We thank the Ventura Police Department for their quick response and look forward to working with them and California State Parks to conduct the investigation.
Polysaccharide is a neurotoxin produced by the flowering of harmful algae that accumulates in filter-feeding fish, including anchovies and sardines. The fish were then eaten by seals, sea lions and dolphins.
Exposure can damage the brain and heart of mammals. Symptoms include epilepsy, a state of initiating head movements called “stargazing” and coma. Experts advise humans not to interact with animals considered sick because they may bite or lunge without warning.
Animals can be treated, but transferring sick lions to facilities can be difficult, as adult females can weigh up to 250 pounds and adult males can reach up to 1,000 pounds, requiring several people to move each animal.
Marine animals are protected by state and federal laws. If you see a virus or injured animal, call the Channel Islands Institute of Marine and Wildlife Rescue Hotline at (805) 567-1505.
Since the outbreak on the coast of Malibu, the California Wildlife Center has received between 50 and 100 messages every day about sea lions suffering from polyacid toxicity.
A similar outbreak was recorded last summer, affecting more than 70 sea lions, as well as two dolphins and two seals on the coast of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
