NOAA Offers $20K Reward for Information on Sea Lion Shooting in California

A young sea lion was fatally shot at Bolsa Chica State Beach, prompting a federal investigation.

The 2-year-old male sea lion was found with a gunshot wound on August 7, 2024, at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Orange County.
Despite rescue efforts by the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, the sea lion died the following day from its injuries.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking public assistance to identify the shooter and is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.
Shooting a sea lion is a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits harming marine mammals and carries severe penalties.
NOAA officials emphasize the importance of reporting any information to their enforcement hotline to aid in the investigation.