$20,000 reward offered for suspect who shot California sea lion to death: officials

( KRON ) — Law enforcement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seeking help finding information on a suspect who shot a young California sea lion to death. A $20,000 reward has been offered.

According to NOAA, the sea lion was initially found alive on August 7 between stations 22 and 23 at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Orange County. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Orange County rescued the male sea lion, “but it died from its injuries the following day,” NOAA said.

The sea lion had been found “with a fresh gunshot wound to the back.” After initial examination, NOAA said this sea lion pup was about two years old. Marine officials estimate a sea lion’s age to be up to 30 years old .

“Law enforcement is seeking information on the person who shot the animal and any other details surrounding its shooting,” NOAA said, offering “up to” $20K as a reward.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits the harassment, hunting, capturing, or killing of sea lions and other marine mammals. NOAA said the only exemptions are having non-lethal methods of deterring marine mammals from damaging private property.

Anyone with information about the sea lion shooting should call NOAA at (800) 853-1964. To file a report of a dead, injured, or stranded marine mammal, call (866) 767-6114.

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