Sick and malnourished sea lion pups are stranding themselves on southern California beaches in some of the largest numbers seen in over a decade, perplexing scientists and leading one care facility to declare itself near capacity. Officials at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California, have said they are in emergency mode. The last time they saw such an onslaught of the mammal pups was 1998, when an "El Nino" weather pattern warmed the waters off the California coast.

Southern California coast sees deluge of sick sea lion pups. (2013, March 15). The Philippine Star, p. A-27.