Reward offered in sea otter beheadings
This comes from a press release issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
Monterey, Calif.--Defenders of Wildlife has offered a $2,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for beheading a sea otter and an elephant seal last week at the Morro Strand State Beach. Authorities are still investigating the incident, but they believe that the animals were beach-stranded and dead before their heads were severed.
The California Department of Fish and Game has turned the investigation over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
"Beheading a sea otter and elephant seal is a bizarre and grisly act, but we're confident the public will do the right thing and provide information to authorities," said Jim Curland, marine program associate for Defenders of Wildlife. "Hopefully, this incident will show that crimes against wildlife will not be tolerated by concerned citizens and members of the public."
The southern sea otter is protected under both the federal Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act and has a fully protected status under California state law. The elephant seal is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Currently, the three-year running average for the southern sea otter population is estimated at slightly more than 2,800 animals.
In the marine ecosystem, sea otters are considered "keystone species," meaning that their presence or absence has a significant impact on other marine species and marine ecosystems. Sea otters help sustain vital kelp forests by feeding on the shellfish and other plant-eating species that would otherwise consume kelp forests. Kelp forests, in turn, serve as important nursery grounds for many types of fin fishes.
The northern elephant seal has a long history of direct exploitation by humans who hunted them extensively for their blubber. From a very small number of animals post-exploitation in the l890s, the population has successfully rebounded to healthy numbers.
Defenders of Wildlife's rewards come from our Imperiled Species Reward Fund.
The California Department of Fish and Game has turned the investigation over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
"Beheading a sea otter and elephant seal is a bizarre and grisly act, but we're confident the public will do the right thing and provide information to authorities," said Jim Curland, marine program associate for Defenders of Wildlife. "Hopefully, this incident will show that crimes against wildlife will not be tolerated by concerned citizens and members of the public."
The southern sea otter is protected under both the federal Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act and has a fully protected status under California state law. The elephant seal is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Currently, the three-year running average for the southern sea otter population is estimated at slightly more than 2,800 animals.
In the marine ecosystem, sea otters are considered "keystone species," meaning that their presence or absence has a significant impact on other marine species and marine ecosystems. Sea otters help sustain vital kelp forests by feeding on the shellfish and other plant-eating species that would otherwise consume kelp forests. Kelp forests, in turn, serve as important nursery grounds for many types of fin fishes.
The northern elephant seal has a long history of direct exploitation by humans who hunted them extensively for their blubber. From a very small number of animals post-exploitation in the l890s, the population has successfully rebounded to healthy numbers.
Defenders of Wildlife's rewards come from our Imperiled Species Reward Fund.
Here's our story on the incidents.
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
i love otters and that is sad like who would behaed an animal
It is unbelievable that someone would hurt and kill sea Otter's. I hope this is stopped soon!
Who ever would behead any animal is crul and should be in jail.