Sea lion fatally shot in Orange County, reward offered for information

A wounded sea lion found at Bolsa Chica State Beach this summer died from a gunshot to its back, according to officials who are now offering a $20,000 reward for information about the shooting.

The 2-year-old male sea lion was discovered between two lifeguard stations at the Orange County beach on Aug. 7, NOAA Fisheries announced in an Instagram post Wednesday. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center retrieved the animal, but it died the next day. An examination revealed that the sea lion had a fresh gunshot wound in its back.

Law enforcement agents at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are asking for the public’s help in finding those behind for the sea lion’s demise. A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for any information that could lead to a civil penalty or criminal conviction of the person or persons responsible.

The federal Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits harassing, hunting, capturing or killing sea lions and other marine mammals. Violators can face criminal penalties and fines of up to $34,000, along with the forfeiture of any vessel involved in the incident.

Anyone with information about the shooting can call NOAA’s enforcement hotline at (800) 853-1964. Dead or stranded marine animals can be reported to the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network at (866) 767-6114.