Animals/Insects

February 25, 2025 - More than a dozen sick sea lions reported off coast of Malibu - More than a dozen sick sea lions potentially ailed by toxins have been spotted off the coast of Malibu, the California Wildlife Center announced. The center, a wildlife rescue service based in Calabasas, said its team responded to a total of 14 calls of sick sea lions in the area over the past five days. Due to the animals’ behavior and symptoms, the center believes the sea lions may be suffering from exposure to domoic acid. Domoic acid is a toxin found in algae that can build up in shellfish, sardines, and anchovies. When impacted shellfish and fish are consumed, sea lions’ brains and hearts can be impacted. The exposure could lead to seizures or comatose states in mammals. Source

8/19/2024: 'Incredibly rare' dead sea serpent surfaces in California waters; just 1 of 20 since 1901 - Japanese folklore holds that the oarfish is an omen of an impending earthquake. Known in Japanese as the 'messenger from the sea god's palace,' there is no scientific evidence supporting a connection. - Nothing marks the sign of impending doom like the appearance of the elusive oarfish,according to Japanese folklore. Hopefully it's just a myth, since one was recently found floating in Southern California waters for only the 20th time in nearly 125 years. Oarfish are an omen of impending disaster, Japanese folklore says. The belief that the sight of an oarfish in shallow waters is an omen of an impending earthquake dates back to 17th century Japan, according to reporting by Atlas Obscura. The fish, also know as “ryugu no tsukai,” were believed to be servants of the sea god Ryūjin, according to Japanese folklore. It’s believed that “Ryugu no tsukai,” which translates to “messenger from the sea god’s palace,” were sent from the palace toward the surface to warn people of earthquakes. Source

7/29/2024: Dragonfly swarm takes over Rhode Island beach - A day at the beach turned into something out of a movie in Rhode Island when a swarm of dragonflies descended on beachgoers. Source 

4/2/2024: Cicada-geddon - The "Cicada-geddon" insect invasion will be biggest bug emergence in centuries; Billions Of Cicadas From 2 Broods To Emerge In Maryland In 2024. A rare event that hasn't happened since 1803 will unfold in MD and elsewhere (Maryland to Oklahoma, Illinois to Alabama) two broods of cicadas will descend creating quite the noise. Cicadas should start tunneling toward the surface this spring when soil temperatures reach about 64 degrees. In Maryland, that should be sometime in late April through mid-May. Read More

• Tips for Repelling Cicadas: Use essential oils - spray trees and plants with smells that cicadas dislike, such as peppermint, vinegar, or eucalyptus.

3/27/2024: Bill Gates Mosquito Farm - [Video] Related Information on BG Global Program