Authorities are asking for help and offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the death of a dolphin riddled with bullets in Cameron Parish. Matt Walia with NOAA’s Fisheries Office of Compliance said they received a report of a deceased bottlenose dolphin on March 13th.
“This isn’t a normal occurrence but it’s an unfortunate circumstance, so we’re definitely soliciting any help from the public,” said Walia.
The dolphin was found on West Mae Beach.
According to the necropsy, Walia said they believe the dolphin was most likely killed just before it was found Wednesday, March 13th.
“We found that there were multiple bullet wounds and holes in the carcass, so that does seem to appear what caused the death of this dolphin unfortunately,” said Walia.
Bullets were found in the brain, spinal cord, and heart of the mammal.
Walia said harassing, harming, killing, or feeding wild dolphins is prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and violators can be civilly or criminally charged up to $100,000 and serve up to a year in jail per violation.
“There have been other instances of human interactions causing deaths of marine mammals, unfortunately,” said Walia.
If you have any information you are urged to call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964.
