Animal Rights Groups Offer $5,000 Reward In Fatal Sea Lion Shooting
August 3 marked a sad day for sea lions and animal rights groups. An injured adult female sea lion - shot three times - washed up on the Venice Beach shore, bleeding profusely and dead.
A $5,000 reward is being offered in exchange for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprits, reports Santa Monica Daily Press.
Peter Wallerstein, founder and director of Marine Animal Rescue (MAR), was called to the scene.
"Blood was spurting out like a faucet," said Wallerstein, who has been rescuing marine mammals in Los Angeles County for over 25 years. "We found three bullets in her. … She was very healthy otherwise."
Killing a marine animal violates the Marine Mammal Protection Act and may result in a $100,000 fine and one year in prison. The shooting is currently under investigation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement.
MAR released a statement on their Facebook page identifying how gruesome and common these acts have become.
"Some anglers feel that seals, sea lions and even pelicans are a threat to their livelihoods and will purposely injure or kill the animals. From shootings, to the use of seal bombs, these violent acts by cruel individuals must be stopped. Many more shooting victims don’t make it to shore; they die a slow death at sea."
MAR and Friends of Animals - both animal rights groups - are offering the reward.
Anyone with information should call the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement at 1.800.853.1964 or MAR hotline at 1.800.39.WHALE.
