New Delhi, April 10 -- An algal bloom near California's coast has caused usually friendly sea lions to become aggressive and attack humans - a behaviour that has been reported to be unprecedented and 'demonic'.

An adult male sea lion weighs up to 300 kilogrammes and when such an animal resorts to aggression towards humans, the results can be lethal. There have been dozens of isolated cases where surfers and beach goers have been bit by the sea lions but fortunately, no death has been reported so far.

What is really heartbreaking is that these animals aren't attacking humans because they want to. Instead, a neurotoxin released by the algal bloom is altering their neural networks and causing them to experience unbearable stress, aggressio...