US authorities have appealed to the public to try to find the person or persons responsible for the multiple gunshot wounds of Dolphin, by offering a US$20,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
An autopsy showed that the dolphin, a juvenile, had wounds similar to bullet wounds fired from a firearm. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicated in a press release on Tuesday, reported by the New York Post, that several bullets settled in the brain, spinal cord and heart of the dolphin.
On March 13, a member of the public found the dolphin's lifeless carcass on a beach in West May, Louisiana, showing multiple bullet holes throughout its body.
The dolphin was taken to the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans to evaluate the extent of its injury.
“The animal appears to have died as a result of trauma that occurred at the time of its death or shortly before its death,” NOAA said in a news release.
Authorities are offering a $20,000 reward to those who help identify the person(s) responsible, or whose information leads to an arrest, conviction or assessment of civil penalties.
“Harassing, harming, killing or feeding wild dolphins is prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act,” the public agency added.
Violations of this type of crime may be subject to civil or criminal prosecution and are punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and imprisonment of up to one year per violation, according to NOAA.
NOAA can be contacted, anonymously or not, at (800) 853-1964, but name and contact information will be needed to be eligible for the reward.
