Federal authorities are offering a $20,000 reward to anyone who can identify the person responsible for the shooting death of a dolphin in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. According to Tuesday's announcement, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration law enforcement office is asking for details that lead to a criminal conviction or civil penalty.
Officials explained that NOAA Fisheries received a report about a juvenile bottlenose dolphin found dead along West Mae's Beach, near the Louisiana and Texas border, on March 13. They added that the mammal had injuries consistent with being shot with a firearm.
Following the discovery, the dolphin was transported to the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans for a necropsy, which found multiple bullets lodged in the carcass. Officials added that it had been shot in the brain, spinal cord, and heart. "The animal appeared to have died from the trauma, which occurred at or near the time of death," officials said.
The approximate location of the dolphin carcass in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Credit: NOAA
They added that dolphins are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits the harassing, harming, killing, or feeding of wild dolphins. Those convicted of violating the Act could be sentenced to a year in jail for every violation and fined up to $100,000.
Authorities are asking anyone with information that leads to identifying the suspect to call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964. While you can leave tips anonymously, you must include your name and contact information if you want to be eligible for the reward.
