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Federal investigators from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of a person who decapitated a sea lion on Christmas Day last year. The incident occurred at Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay, approximately 70 miles north of San Francisco.
According to NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement, the sea lion was found dead and intact on the shore before a park staff member discovered that someone had removed its head. An eyewitness described the suspect as a tan-complexioned male, aged 30 to 40, dressed in all black, and riding a black fat-tire e-bike. The suspect was seen using an 8-inch black knife to decapitate the sea lion, placing the head in a clear plastic bag, and then riding away.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits the harassment, hunting, capturing, or killing of sea lions and other marine mammals. Violating this law can result in significant fines and imprisonment. NOAA is urging anyone with information about the incident to contact their 24/7 enforcement hotline.
This case is part of a broader issue of human interactions threatening sea lions in California. In recent months, incidents of harassment and violence against these protected animals have been reported, highlighting the ongoing challenges in enforcing wildlife protection laws.