On a rainy Friday, March 14, 2025, field biologists from The Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance (OARRA), with assistance from volunteers, conducted two necropsies on Venice Beach. The examinations, overseen by OARRA Founder and CEO Keith Matassa, were performed on a male Pygmy sperm whale and a male sea lion, with the team working from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. despite challenging weather conditions.
Necropsies, the animal equivalent of autopsies, are post-mortem examinations used to determine the cause of death and identify underlying medical conditions. These procedures provide crucial insights into marine health, environmental threats, and potential disease outbreaks affecting ocean life. The growing number of marine mammal mortalities along the Southern California coast has prompted increased research efforts by organizations like OARRA, which aim to uncover possible causes behind these fatalities and assess their impact on local ecosystems.
While the official results are still pending, researchers suspect that the sea lion may have been affected by domoic acid toxicosis, a condition linked to harmful algal blooms off the California coast. These blooms, triggered by the microscopic algae Pseudo-nitzschia australis, produce a neurotoxin that accumulates in small fish such as sardines and anchovies, a primary food source for sea lions. When consumed in large quantities, domoic acid may cause neurological and cardiac issues, including seizures and disorientation. However, further analysis is needed to confirm whether this condition played a role in the animal’s death.
The rise in toxic algal blooms has become a major concern for marine conservationists, as the frequency of sea lion strandings and marine mammal deaths continues to escalate. Scientists warn that these blooms may be exacerbated by rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and other environmental stressors. OARRA’s ongoing research and necropsy investigations play a critical role in identifying potential threats to marine life, as well as informing conservation strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of human activity on ocean ecosystems.
Founded in 2020, The Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance (OARRA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to monitoring marine mammal populations, responding to stranded and deceased marine animals, and conducting research to better understand environmental changes affecting marine life. Through partnerships with state, national, and international researchers, OARRA works to consolidate data and provide a comprehensive view of the health of ocean animals and their habitats. The organization’s mission is to raise awareness, advocate for conservation, and inspire personal and global change to protect marine environments for future generations.
As marine mammal mortality rates increase, experts emphasize the importance of public awareness and scientific research in addressing this growing crisis. OARRA remains committed to expanding its response and research programs, ensuring that each marine animal’s death contributes to a broader understanding of ocean health and conservation efforts. The organization encourages the public to support their work by contributing to ongoing research and response initiatives. Donations to OARRA can be made at OARRA's official website to aid in their critical efforts.
⚠️ VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED ⚠️
This video contains graphic scientific content, including a full necropsy (animal autopsy) of a Pygmy sperm whale and a sea lion. The footage is presented solely for educational and research purposes as part of marine conservation efforts.
🔬 This content is not intended to shock or disturb viewers but to contribute to the scientific understanding of marine mammal health and environmental threats.
📢 If you are sensitive to medical or dissection footage, please proceed with caution or choose to exit the video.