Authorities in California have reported that a 2-year-old sea lion was shot and killed while it was sleeping on a beach, and as a result, federal agents are searching for the person responsible.
According to a statement from the NOAA released on Wednesday, the male California sea lion was found injured but alive between lifeguard stations 22 and 23 with a “fresh gunshot wound in its back.”
The incident occurred at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Orange County, California, on August 7. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement is now offering a reward of up to $20,000.
“The Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Orange County rescued the male sea lion, but it died from its injuries the following day,” NOAA officials stated.
At this point, law enforcement is aggressively looking for information on who shot the animal and any other relevant circumstances.
“The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits the harassment, hunting, capturing, or killing of sea lions and other marine mammals,” officials stated. “However, the law allows for non-lethal methods to deter marine mammals from damaging private property, including fishing gear and catch, if it does not injure or kill an animal.”
Like all marine mammals, California sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), which has contributed to the population growth of these animals since at least 1975.
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“California sea lions are easy to view in the wild, but this puts them at higher risk of human-related injuries and death. Feeding or trying to feed them is harmful and illegal, because it changes their natural behaviors and makes them less wary of people and vessels,” the NOAA stated. “They learn to associate humans with an easy meal and change their natural hunting practices—for example, they take bait catch directly off fishing gear. Sometimes they fall victim to retaliation (such as shooting) by frustrated boaters and fishermen.”
Call the NOAA enforcement hotline at (800) 853-1964, which is open 24/7, if you have any information on the sea lion shooting.
