A $20K reward is offered after a sea lion was fatally shot on a California beach

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Federal officials this week offered a $20,000 reward for information about the fatal shooting of a sea lion in Southern California over the summer.

The wounded male sea lion was discovered Aug. 7 between two lifeguard stations at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Orange County, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The animal, estimated to be about 2 years old, died the next day and an examination revealed it had a gunshot wound to the back, NOAA Fisheries said in a statement Wednesday.

The agency said its law enforcement division is offering the reward “for information leading to a civil penalty or criminal conviction” in connection with the shooting,

The federal Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits harassing, hunting, capturing or killing sea lions and other marine mammals. Violators can face criminal penalties, fines, and the forfeiture of any vessel involved in the incident.

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact NOAA.

Sea lions live along the U.S. West Coast and can sometimes be spotted on beaches, docks, jetties and buoys.