Sea lion tragedy: California shooting prompts £16k reward
A terrible incident occurred on a beach in Southern California, where a sea lion was shot. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced a reward of £16,000 for information leading to identifying those responsible.
11 October 2024 09:09
The injured animal was discovered on Bolsa Chica Beach, and it sadly died from the wounds it sustained.
Tragic incident
According to information provided by NOAA, the male sea lion, estimated to be about two years old, was found between two lifeguard stations on Bolsa Chica State Beach in Orange County.
The animal was severely injured. An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the back.
Following this tragic event, NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement has appealed to the local community for help. They have offered a significant reward of £16,000 to encourage people to come forward. NOAA stated that this will be awarded "for information leading to a civil penalty or criminal conviction" related to the shooting.
Sea lions
These animals are found in the eastern part of the North Pacific Ocean, from south-central Alaska to the Islas Marías archipelago near Nayarit in Mexico, including the Gulf of California. They are typically seen on beaches, docks, piers, and buoys.
Unfortunately, these marine mammals are vulnerable to illegal human activities. Killing one of these animals is a violation of the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. This law prohibits the harassment, hunting, capturing, or killing of marine mammals, including sea lions. "Perpetrators may be fined and have any vessel involved in the incident confiscated," emphasises NOAA.
