EDITOR'S NOTE: Multimedia journalist Genevieve Glass heard Marina Del Ray residents' reactions to the increase in sick sea lions and gathered updates from the Marine Mammal Care Center regarding toxic algae. Click the arrow above to watch the video.

MALIBU, Calif. — As many as 50 sea lions sickened by an outbreak of toxic algae have been stranded on Malibu beaches in the past week, wildlife officials said Wednesday.

Officials at the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles estimated that at least 10 sea lions are currently in treatment at the center. Some of those exposed to the domoic acid toxin are in good shape, indicating they’ve been affected for just a short time, John Warner, CEO of San Pedro-based MMCC, said during a virtual news conference.

Domoic acid is an algal bloom resulting from a single-celled organism called Pseudo-nitzschia. There are benign and toxic strains that animals may be exposed to through ingestion of contaminated fish. In its toxic form, the toxin damages the brain and heart, even in low doses. Signs in marine mammals include seizures, a craning head motion known as “stargazing,” and highly lethargic or comatose states.

The public is advised to not interact directly with animals such as sea lions in distress as they may lunge and bite without warning.

When conditions are right, waters off the coast of California can experience large-scale toxic algal blooms that are capable of sickening hundreds of sea lions in a matter of weeks, causing them to wash ashore at an alarming rate — sometimes a dozen a day.

During the unprecedented domoic acid outbreak in 2023, the MMCC said it admitted more than 120 adult California sea lions over the course of seven weeks.

Warner said Wednesday that the size and scope of this month’s outbreak won’t be known until next week.

“The worry is the toll it might have on the breeding population in the Channel Islands,” he said.