Beach Visitors Warned to Leave Sea Lions Alone

A wildlife rescue group has asked state parks officials to post signs at Point Dume to warn visitors against interfering with the numerous sea lions that have come ashore to get a rest from stormy seas.

Rebecca Dymtryk, executive director of Malibu-based Wildlife Emergency Response, said Wednesday that about 70 California sea lions, or about three times the normal number, are taking refuge on Point Dume this year because of El Nino storms.

Dymtryk said people who approach, touch or pour water on the animals or take them into their cars are harassing the sea lions and are putting themselves in danger of injury and disease.

She said harassment of sea lions in recent weeks has prompted her to propose signs warning people to keep at least 100 feet away from the sea lions.

Any action that alters the animals’ behavior is a violation of the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, said Joe Cordaro, a wildlife biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service, which is working with Dymtryk and state officials to post the warning signs.