Earlier this summer, reports of large numbers of dead or dying sea lions appeared in multiple news sources, including ours. Most of the mammals were malnourished, or suffering from bacterial infections.

The cause of the problem was thought to be a dip in the food source, likely due to warm water conditions. Mammals have also been suffering from domoic acid poisoning from algal bloom, which might also be the result of warmer water.

Hundreds were brought to The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC) in Sausalito, which cares for a variety of sick mammals. Recently, however, loads more sea lions have been reported at one of their favorite stomping grounds, Pier 39. The reports seem contradictory to earlier news of malnourished sea lions.