Why Hundreds of Starving Sea Lion Pups Washed Ashore in California: Scientists Seek Clues

Hundreds of starving sea lion pups have washed ashore on the California coast--all the way from San Diego to Santa Barbara. The influx of these mammals has completely overwhelmed rescue shelters as researchers hunt for the reason for these beached sea lions.

While sea lion pups are usually weaned from their mothers in April, it seems that many of the young mammals have been separated from their parents earlier this year. In fact, it's estimated that about 45 percent of the pups that were born in June at island rookeries off the Southern California coast have now died, according to the Washington Post.

The pups that have washed ashore tend to be extremely underweight and dehydrated. It's a miracle that they make it to the coast at all. That said, experts believe that the pups are using a combination of ocean currents and swimming to make the arduous journey.

Exactly why the sea lions are washing ashore and are being separated from their mothers is still a mystery, though. However, it's possible that the female sea lions are staying out longer to forage for food. When their mothers seemingly don't return, the pups may journey in search of their own food. This could lead to them getting caught in currents and eventually finding their ways to the beach.

Currently, the sea lion strandings are nearly three times higher than the historical average, and two weeks ago, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center declared a state of emergency due how many sick and stranded sea lions were being brought in.

"Animals are coming ashore in unprecedented numbers," said the center's director of development, Melissa Sciacca, in an interview with the LA Times. "We've never seen so many animals come ashore like this in 42 years."

Currently, scientists are continuing to try to determine exactly what's causing so many sea lions to wash ashore. They haven't found a link between disease, or anything harmful in the fish and squid that the mammals usually feed on. Until they find some sort of clue or connection between the strandings, it's likely that the sea lion pups will continue to wash ashore.