LA County Lifeguards Respond to Dolphin Deaths from Toxic Algae Bloom

Toxic Algae Bloom Impacting Marine Life

• 🌊 Dolphins and other marine mammals are washing ashore, sick and dying, along the coast from Santa Barbara to San Diego.
• 💡 The likely cause identified is a toxic algae bloom poisoning the ocean life.

Lifeguards' Emotional Toll

• 💔 LA County lifeguards are experiencing significant emotional distress due to the frequency of distressed and dying mammals they encounter.
• ⚠️ Lifeguards are trained for stressful situations and have access to employee assistance programs to cope with the emotional impact.

Stranded Marine Mammals on Beaches

• 🆘 Lifeguards have responded to over a dozen dolphin strandings on LA County beaches between Tanga and Torrance.
• 😥 In cases where animals cannot be saved, lifeguards provide comfort, such as pouring saltwater to keep their skin moist and reduce stress during their final moments.
• 🚫 Crowds gathering to help stranded animals can further terrify them, leading lifeguards to request the public maintain distance.

Euthanasia of Suffering Animals

• 😔 A baby dolphin, found stranded and suffering, was euthanized because it could not be saved.
• 🩹 While not confirmed, there is concern that lifeguards may be taking stress leave due to the trauma of witnessing these events.