NOAA offers up to $20,000 reward for info in death of Hawaiian monk seal
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Federal wildlife authorities are asking for the public's help in finding the individual or individuals responsible for the death of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal whose body was discovered last month on a Molokai beach.
According to NOAA, the investigation into the death of Hawaiian monk seal RU68 determined the 1-year-old female died from blunt force trauma to the head, likely sometime on Aug. 17 or 18.
Staff from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources found the seal on a Molokai beach Aug. 20, but NOAA did not disclose the specific location.
NOAA said the death represents not only the loss of the seal, which is one of an estimated 1,600 remaining in the world, but also the loss of its potential future offspring.
NOAA is offering an up to $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest, criminal conviction or a civil penalty.
The state estimates the Hawaiian monk seal population includes approximately 1,200 seals that reside in the remote northwestern Hawaiian Islands and only about 400 in the main Hawaiian Islands.
Harassing, harming, killing or feeding monk seals is prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Violations can be prosecuted civilly or criminally and are punishable by up to $100,000 in fines and a year in jail.
Anyone with information should call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964.
NOAA said callers can remain anonymous. However, to be eligible for the reward they must include their name and contact information, though NOAA said that information will not be released to the public.
To report any dead, stranded or injured marine animals, contact the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840.