Beachgoers are encountering more stingrays and suffering their lashings as a marine heat wave off Southern California draws them closer to shore.

California is seeing unusually large numbers of round stingrays near its beaches, as warmer coastal waters and an expected strong El Niño draw the animals closer to shore.

Beachgoers are encountering more stingrays and suffering their lashings as a marine heat wave off Southern California draws them closer to shore.