Reward Offered for Information on Shooting of Sea Lion Found Alive on Bolsa Chica State Beach

NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to a civil penalty or criminal conviction in the shooting of a California sea lion. It was found alive between lifeguard stations 22 and 23 at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Orange County, California on August 7. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Orange County rescued the male sea lion, but it died from its injuries the following day.

An examination found that the approximately 2-year-old sea lion had a fresh gunshot wound in its back.

Law enforcement is seeking information on the person who shot the animal and any other details surrounding its shooting.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits the harassment, hunting, capturing, or killing of sea lions and other marine mammals. 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.

Anyone with information about the sea lion shooting should call NOAA's 24/7 enforcement hotline at (800) 853-1964.

To report a dead, injured, or stranded marine mammal, call the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network: (866) 767-6114.