Surfer bitten by sea lion

A sea lion that had been charging at beachgoers on Manhattan Beach, California, bit a surfer taking a breather, then waddled into the water and swam away.

Josh Duncan came within five feet of the sea lion yesterday when it bit him, requiring the 27-year-old surfer to get stitches and a tetanus shot for the inch-long wound on his thigh, lifeguard Capt. Mike Cunningham said.

The bite ripped through his wet suit.

In recent weeks, as many as 70 sick and dying sea lions have been lumbering ashore along Southern California. Scientists believe they’re victims of demoic acid poisoning from the seasonal red tide algae bloom.

Demoic acid is a naturally occurring neurotoxin that causes stomach distress, convulsions, central nervous system damage and sometimes death in sea lions. The mammals ingest the acid when they eat anchovies and sardines that have consumed the toxic algae that produces it.

The sea lion that bit Duncan showed symptoms of poisoning, Cunningham said.