Federal officials this week offered a $US20,000 ($29,000) reward for information about the fatal shooting of a sea lion in Southern California over the summer.
The wounded male sea lion was discovered on August 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.
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The agency said its law enforcement division was 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.
