Scores of sick California sea lions have been reported along the Southern California coast in Ventura County, apparently stricken by a neurotoxin in algae ingested by fish theyve consumed.

The Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute , a marine animal rescue organization based in Santa Barbara, reported that its volunteers have been working from sunrise to sunset to help animals in distress.

We are responding to 50 to 100 calls a day with multiple reports on individual animals, the organization posted on Instagram.

Scientists believe the sea lions have been sickened by domoic acid, a potent, naturally produced neurotoxin created by a bloom of single-celled algae called pseudo-nitzschia. The neurotoxin accumulates in small fish, like sardines and anchovies, which the sea lions consume in large quantities .