Current:Home > ScamsChainkeen|Who shot a sea lion on a California beach? NOAA offers $20K reward for information -Mastery Money Tools
Chainkeen|Who shot a sea lion on a California beach? NOAA offers $20K reward for information
Oliver James Montgomery View
Date:2025-04-11 11:57:17
The ChainkeenNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is offering up to $20,000 to anyone who can help them identify who shot a sea lion in California in August.
The federal agency'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," the agency said in a news release Wednesday.
The sea lion was found shot but alive at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Orange County, California about 40 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, on August 7, NOAA said. The animal was rescued and taken to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Orange County, where it died from its injuries the next day.
An examination revealed that the approximately 2-year-old male 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 news release said.
Anyone with information on the sea lion shooting can contact NOAA’s 24/7 enforcement hotline at (800) 853-1964.
Sea lions being shot is not uncommon
NOAA spokesperson Michael Milstein told USA TODAY Thursday the agency hopes "the reward offer will help encourage someone who may have seen something or heard something unusual to let us know to help us identify a suspect in this case."
"We do get sea lions regularly that have been shot but this animal was still alive when found, so the wound was fresh and it was on a public beach, which hopefully increases the odds that someone knows something about what happened," Milstein added.
What to do if you spot a stranded marine mammal
Marine mammals, including sea lion and seals, are protected by federal law via the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Violations can result in a civil penalty up to $11,000 as well as criminal penalties up to $100,000 and imprisonment of up to a year or both.
If you encounter a marine mammal that is sick, injured, malnourished, entangled, deceased or oiled, the CIMWI recommends the following:
- Do not touch, feed, harass, cover, pour water on, coax/drag/push into the water or out of the surf zone, allow dogs near or take selfies with the animal.
- Observe the animal from a minimum of 50 feet (length of a school bus). Keep people and pets away from the stranded animal. Note the animal’s physical characteristics and condition.
- Determine the exact location of the animal. Be as accurate as possible and note any landmarks so CIMWI’s rescue team can easily find the animal.
- Contact authorities immediately.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
veryGood! (92)
Related
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- The Best Coachella Festival Fashion Trends You’ll Want To Recreate for Weekend Two
- WNBA draft picks now face harsh reality of limited opportunities in small, 12-team league
- Atlantic City mayor and his wife charged with abusing, assaulting teenage daughter
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Home values rising in Detroit, especially for Black homeowners, study shows
- Buffalo Sabres fire coach Don Granato after team's playoff drought hits 13 seasons
- Object that crashed through Florida home's roof was from space station, NASA confirms
- What to watch: O Jolie night
- Ariana Grande’s Grandma Marjorie “Nonna” Grande Just Broke This Record
Ranking
- 'Most Whopper
- NPR suspends editor who criticized his employer for what he calls an unquestioned liberal worldview
- Two killed in shooting at Ferguson, Missouri, gas station; officer fired shots
- Kate Hudson Defends Her Brother Oliver Hudson Against Trolls
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- The 2024 Range Rover Velar P400 looks so hot, the rest almost doesn’t matter
- Changing course, Florida prosecutor suspended by DeSantis to seek reelection
- The 3,100-mile Olympic torch relay is underway. Here's what to know about the symbolic tradition.
Recommendation
Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
Campus crime is spiking to pre-pandemic levels. See your college’s numbers in our data.
How Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones Hilariously Seduce Their Kids with Fancy Vacations
Changing course, Florida prosecutor suspended by DeSantis to seek reelection
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Powerball winning numbers for April 15 drawing with $63 million jackpot at stake
Caitlin Clark is No. 1 pick in WNBA draft, going to the Indiana Fever, as expected
Actors Alexa and Carlos PenaVega announce stillbirth of daughter: She was absolutely beautiful