A dolphin was found shot to death on a Louisiana beach last month – and now the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is offering $20,000 for information on who was responsible for the sick act.
The young bottlenose dolphin was discovered March 14 on West Mae Beach in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.
NOAA’s stranding network partner, Audubon Aquarium Rescue, recovered the dolphin and transported it to the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans for an autopsy, which revealed “multiple bullets lodged in the brain, the spinal cord and heart of the dolphin,” the agency said.
Authorities determined the dolphin died from trauma that occurred at or near the time of its death.
The agency’s Law Enforcement Bureau is investigating the dolphin’s death and is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the cruel killer or a civil penalty.
Harassing, harming, killing or feeding wild dolphins is prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Violators face fines of up to $100,000 and up to prison time.
New York Post
