A gruesome crime was committed in Monterey Bay, CA recently.
In late July, a man was witnessed (and captured on camera) decapitating a dead sea lion at Point Pinos in Pacific Grove. And then, he put the head in a plastic bag, climbed into his Cadillac, and drove off. And now, NOAA is seeking justice.
The Office of Law Enforcement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is offering a $20,000 reward for information about the suspect.
Regarding details of the crime, NOAA reported:
“A white male subject was observed using a hunting knife to remove the head of a deceased sea lion. The incident, partially captured on video, happened at Point Pinos Beach in Pacific Grove, California at approximately 8:40 p.m. on July 27. The sea lion was dead prior to the incident; the cause of death has not been determined.
“The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 5’9”, bald, with a full beard, and appearing in his late 50s to early 60s. After sawing off the seal’s head, he placed the head in a zip-style plastic bag and left the area in a late-model white Cadillac Escalade.”
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This is, in fact, a crime. And one that comes with, “criminal violations punishable by up to $100,000 in fines and up to 1 year in jail per violation.”
It violates the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Protected Species Parts. Per NOAA:
“They prohibit the collection (i.e., take), import and export, of protected species parts. The origin of the part and your plans for it will determine what authorization you need. Without the proper authorization, you are in violation of the law. It is illegal to receive or possess a part that was illegally collected or imported.”
It’s also just vile and inhumane. For any information regarding the suspect, you can call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964.