Officials offer $20,000 reward for information on fatal shooting of sea lion in Orange County

Agency issues appeal after animal is shot in the back

Federal officials have offered a $20,000 reward for information about the fatal shooting of a sea lion.
The wounded male sea lion was discovered on Aug 7 between two lifeguard stations at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Orange County, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The animal, estimated to be about two years old, died the next day, and an examination revealed it had a gunshot wound to the back, NOAA Fisheries said in a statement on Wednesday.
The agency said its law enforcement division is offering the reward “for information leading to a civil penalty or criminal conviction” in connection with the shooting.
The federal Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits harassing, hunting, capturing, or killing sea lions and other marine mammals.
Violators can face criminal penalties, fines, and the forfeiture of any vessel involved in the incident.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact NOAA.
Sea lions live along the US West Coast and can sometimes be spotted on beaches, docks, jetties, and buoys.