Authorities are investigating after a sea lion was found with a gunshot wound on its back in Orange County. The sea lion died a day later. / Photo courtesy NOAA Office of Law Enforcement
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. - A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information surrounding the shooting death of a sea lion found in Orange County.
According to the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement, the California sea lion was discovered on Bolsa Chica State Beach on Aug 7 suffering from a gunshot wound to its back.
The California sea lion was estimated to be about 2-years-old when it was found.
A good Samaritan found the sea lion and called it in. They named it Espy, short for Esperanza – which means Hope.
"Clearly, the sea lion was alive for sometime with this gunshot wound in his back, so it wouldn’t have been pleasant for him," said Michael Milstein with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
A rescue organization tried to nurse the sea lion back to health, but it died the next day, officials said. A bullet was recovered from its carcass.
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Sea lion shot dead on Orange County beach
A sea lion has died after someone found the animal suffering from a gunshot wound on Bolsa Chica State Beach. Police are searching for the shooter.
"It did have a collapsed lung and blood and pus in its chest, and the bullet was in there. It was a chest wound, gunshot, just as if a human emergency room would be triaged. And he was having challenges breathing, and that ultimately was the result of his demise," said veterinarian Dr. Alissa Deming
Marine rescuers say there is no way this could’ve been an accident or self-defense. Now the hope for Espy is that the person who did this to him is caught and properly punished before another sea lion falls victim.
"Sea lions and other marine mammals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which carries civil penalties up to $34,457, up to a year in prison, and forfeiture of any vessel involved," the NOAA said in a statement.
"Respect wildlife, we’re so lucky to live in a place where sea lions and whales and dolphins live right off our coast and we should enjoy them from a respectful distance," Dr. Deming added.
A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect or suspects involved.
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-853-1964 or report it online.