The death toll among sea lions that have been shot to death recently in Western Washington officially stands at nine, and authorities are searching for clues and asking for tips that might lead to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the killings.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has confirmed that two bullets were found in the head of the latest carcass found on the Nisqually Delta.
Seven other sea lions were found with bullet wounds in the same area during the past few weeks, while one carcass was found on a beach in West Seattle.
One of the carcasses was identified as a federally-endangered Stellar sea lion.
NOAA is asking that people who might have information about the killings call the agency's enforcement hotline at (800) 853-1964.
King 5 News in Seattle is reporting that the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who provides information leading to an arrest and conviction.
"This is a violation of U.S. Federal law and the person or persons responsible for these shootings must be apprehended and brought to justice," Sea Shepherd Capt. Paul Watson stated on the group's website.
Sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
-- Sea lion image is courtesy of Pete Thomas
The first people to question are commercial fishermen competing with these pinnipeds for a finite amount of available fish stocks.
"Everyone acts according to self-interest." - Gracian
Posted by: drudown | Feb 06, 2012 at 05:38 PM