$20,000 reward: Public appeal launched to find killer of sea lion shot in the back
|The area is known for being home to many sea lions. https://imagebroker.com/10347124
A sea lion found shot off the California coast south of Los Angeles in August did not survive his injuries. A call for help has been issued to the public to find the shooter, with a reward of up to $20,000.
Last August, on the beach of Bolsa Chica State, in California, south of Los Angeles, a sea lion was found, injured between two aid stations by a walker.
According to information from the Los Angeles Times, the two-year-old animal had been taken in by the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, a veterinary clinic specializing in this type of animal.
The animal “He was having difficulty breathing and seemed very lethargic. It was very clear that he needed to be rescued,” said Alissa Deming, the center's vice president. The day after he was taken in, the sea lion died in the clinic.
Further analysis revealed that the bullet that hit him in the back had punctured his lung.
A $20,000 reward
“Knowing that people are doing this to these animals is really disappointing and obviously illegal” explains the center's vice president, who explains that she receives 6 to 12 similar cases per year.
The American Agency and Atmospheric Observation Deck (NOAA) then launched an appeal to the public on Instagram this Wednesday, October 9.
The agency is offering up to $20,000 to anyone with information that could help find the person who fired the fatal shot. The bullet found in the animal's body is also being analyzed.
The person who fired the shot faces criminal penalties and a fine of up to $34,000.