NOAA Enforcement seeks information in shooting-related death of sea lion

Juneau, AK - NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement is asking for the public's help in finding out who shot a Steller sea lion that was found dead on a beach north of Juneau last week.

A thin and lethargic sea lion was first reportedly sighted on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 between Amalga Harbor and Boy Scout Beach. It was spotted again in the same vicinity the following day.

The deceased sea lion was discovered on Boy Scout Beach at about 5:30 p.m. on Friday 8/6/10.

NOAA Fisheries Veterinarian Kate Savage performed a necropsy Saturday to determine the cause of death. That's when she discovered a bullet casing in the one-year-old male's shoulder.

"The probable cause of death is starvation resulting from the injury," said Savage. "The sea lion was unable to forage due to the wound in its shoulder, which was also badly infected."

NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement is asking anyone with information on the shooting to call 586-7225, or the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at 800-853-1964.

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. Visit us at http://www.noaa.gov or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/noaa.lubchenco.

To learn more about NOAA Fisheries in Alaska, visit http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov or www.afsc.noaa.gov