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Federal agents with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of a person decapitating a sea lion on Christmas Day last year.
In a news release, federal officials said the horrifying discovery at Dolan Regional Park, about 70 miles north of San Francisco, came after park staff discovered a completely unharmed sea lion and died and washed.
At one point after the first sighting of the dead marine mammal, the witness told park staff that the man used a black 8-inch knife to remove the sea lion’s head before riding the bike in a clear plastic bag.
Marine mammals, including sea lions, are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and it is illegal to catch, kill, hunt or harass animals. Violation of the protection law could result in fines of thousands of dollars and prison time.
Beheaded Assistation found on the beach at Dolan Regional Park in Northern California on 12/24/24. (NOAA)
Despite their protected status, sea lions continue to encounter trouble in places of concern for humans.
In August 2024, a 2-year-old sea lion was found with a gunshot wound between Lifeguard Stations 22 and 23 in Bolsachica State Beach, Orange County. The marine mammal died one day later.
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Just five months ago, in Ventura County, a 32-year-old man was arrested after witnessing a man sticking on a sick marine mammal as Ventura Police Department employees were monitoring beach cameras.
The suspect, caught up in a decapitation on Christmas Day, was described as a man in shades between the ages of 30 and 40, and was dressed in an all-black riding an e-bike with fat tires.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact NOAA’s 24/7 execution line at 800-853-1964.
To report a marginalized, dead or injured marine mammal, call the West Coast Mammal Stranding Network at 866-767-6114.
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