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A mystery on the California coast. Why are sea lions beaching themselves in record numbers? This is the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric. With the rescue mission off the California coast, Ben Tracy reports hundreds of sea lions are sick and starving. And scientists are not sure why. Dean Gomersall is about to save another life. “There, he is right there.” The sick and stranded길잃은 sea lion on the southern California coast is lucky to be snared덫으로 잡다 by his net.

 

The pacific marine mammal center in Laguna Beach is flooded with starving California sea lion pups. Many arrive emaciated수척한 with ribs showing through their skin. They should look like this, covered in blubber여분의 지방. “Exactly 40 pounds.” This sea lion rescued at the beach is nearly 20 pounds underweight. The center has already rescued 172 sea lions this year, 139 percent more than last year. It's the same story 400 miles north in San Francisco. They've rescued a record 890 California sea lions. One ended up in a squad car경찰 순찰차 after being found on the highway.

 

Why is this happening? Part of the problem could be overpopulation. A record 59,000 of these animals were born along the coast last year. The California sea lion eats small fish like sardines and anchovies. Because there are so many of them, competition for food is fierce and the concern is that it's going to get even worse because of a change in the weather offshore.

 

A growing El Nino weather pattern may be bringing warmer water currents조류 to the California coast. Fish seek out colder water now further out in the ocean. That depletes격감시키다 the sea lion's food source near the shore. "If this El Nino continues to develop and gets stronger and stronger, what we're seeing now is just the tip of the iceberg."

 

Meanwhile, they are saving the ones they can. The weakest need feeding tubes and work back to eating whole fish. Yet by the time they wear out their welcome, “Ready to go.”, they are sent on their way. "Oh, it's the best part of the job for sure." “Alright. Let’s see it.” “One. Two. Three. Let them go.” After a little hesitation, they're off, headed back home. Ben Tracy, CBS News, Laguna Beach, California.

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