WARNING: This story contains an image of a dead dolphin that may be disturbing to some
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Services is offering a $20,000 reward for information after a dolphin was found shot to death on a beach last month.
The juvenile bottlenose dolphin was found with "multiple bullets lodged in the dolphin's brain, spinal cord, and heart" on West Mae's Beach in Cameron Parish, Louisiana on March 13.
A necropsy confirmed the dolphin appeared to have died from trauma, which occurred at or near the time of death. The NOAA said the bullets were consist with a firearm.
Following the devastating discovery, the NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement is investigating the dolphin's death and is offering a $20,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest or assessment of a civil penalty.
According to the NOAA, harassing, hunting, killing, or feeding wild dolphins, or attempting to do these activities is prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Violations can be prosecuted either civilly or criminally and are punishable by up to $100,000 in fines and up to one year in jail per violation.
Anyone with information should call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at 800-853-1964.