Sea lions bark and play on the dock in Noyo Harbor. While people are advised to give wide berth to sea lions, which can be aggressive, when they appear healthy like this the chances of kidney disease are low. (Frank Hartzell via Bay City News)

MENDOCINO Co., 10/14/23 — Recently, California sea lions have been hauling out of the water groggy, apparently sick, while others have washed up dead on beaches. Over August and September 10 dead sea lions were found in Fort Bragg and another 10 in Bodega Bay. 

The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito warns that sick-appearing marine mammals may be suffering from leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can impact any mammal, including humans and dogs, and can cause kidney failure. There is a vaccine for dogs, which experts say should be given to dogs that spend time on the beach or along rivers.

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Frank Hartzell is a freelancer reporter and an occasional correspondent for The Mendocino Voice. He has published more than 10,000 news articles since his first job in Houston in 1986. He is the recipient...