Reward offered for information about shooting of elephant seal near San Simeon

SAN SIMEON, Calif. (KION) NOAA Fisheries is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to a conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting death of a northern elephant seal near San Simeon.

A spokesperson for NOAA Fisheries said the seal was found on Sept. 29 near a viewing area off Highway 1. He said it had been shot in the head. Its tail fins had been cut off, and its chest cavity was cut open.

According to NOAA, the elephant seals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and violations come with civil penalties of up to $28,520 per count, a year in prison, criminal fines and forfeiture of vessels or vehicles involved.

Northern elephant seals are usually at sea, but they come ashore twice a year. Hunting led the species to near extinction around 1900, but the population has recovered, according to NOAA.

Anyone with information is asked to call the investigating agent at 831-647-4203 or NOAA Fisheries at 800-853-1964.