$20,000 Reward Offered After a Dolphin Was Shot to Death In Louisiana
After a young dolphin was found riddled with bullets on a beach in Louisiana, authorities are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of whoever is responsible.
On March 13, authorities from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fielded a call after someone walking on West Mae’s Beach in Cameron Parish, Louisiana stumbled across the dead animal.
“A member of the public reported the stranding to the Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline,” read a statement NOAA released on Tuesday. “NOAA’s stranding network partner, Audubon Aquarium Rescue, recovered the animal and transported it to the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans for a necropsy.”
The necropsy uncovered the gruesome reason for the juvenile bottlenose dolphin’s death: it had “multiple bullets lodged in the carcass, including in the brain, spinal cord, and heart.”
Now, the NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is asking the public for help. Not only was the shooting incredibly cruel, but it was illegal as well.
“Harassing, harming, killing, or feeding wild dolphins is prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act,” said the NOAA. “Violations can be prosecuted civilly or criminally and are punishable by up to $100,000 in fines and up to one year in jail per violation.”
If you have information about the shooting, contact the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964. People can leave tips anonymously but to be eligible for the reward you must include your name and contact information.
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