SAUSALITO, Calif. -- A rescue centre says California sea lions are coming down with a potentially fatal bacterial infection in near-record numbers.
The rescued this year have been diagnosed with leptospirosis.
It's the second-largest outbreak recorded by the rescue centre.
The centre says outbreaks aren't uncommon but the last major one was in 2011. It involved nearly 200 sea lions.
The bacterial infection affects the kidneys and can be lethal if untreated. The Marine Mammal Center says the strain affecting the sea lions has also been seen in pigs, skunks and foxes. It's transmitted through infected urine, either directly or in contaminated water or soil.
It's unclear how the sea lions contracted the infection.
Patriot heads home after recovering from malnutrition and leptospirosis! The Center has been on the forefront of research on leptospirosis in marine mammals dating back to 1985. Learn more:
— The Marine Mammal Center (@TMMC)