Sea lions and other marine mammals are federally protected, and shooting a sea lion violates federal law.
The problem, though, is that few of these cases are prosecuted because it’s often tricky to build evidence unless witnesses step forward.
Typically, the agency relies on marine mammal centers to provide feedback, and not all are using radiographs on all their animals — dead and alive — as Deming is. PMMC began the practice in 2021 as cases of shootings appeared to be increasing and as a way to enhance its overall research. “We would have missed a lot if we didn’t take radiographs,” she said. “It speaks to how the animals have negative interactions. We don’t know where they come from, and they travel long distances and across international borders.”
SeaWorld San Diego reported two sea lions — rescued from San Diego County beaches — were found with gunshots this year, and two were recovered in 2021. Northern elephant seals — like California sea lions — are a protected species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. They live up and down North America’s Pacific coast and haul out on land in areas called rookeries. NOAA’s law enforcement branch investigated the case with help from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“I felt really devastated that the innocent animal was unable to hunt for food and starved to death,” she said. “His reported weight was hundreds of pounds below normal. I was also angry at whoever did this as it is not only inhumane but a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.”
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