Man seen decapitating sea lion in California as worrying trend grows

A huge reward has been offered for information about man seen decapitating a sea lion as part of a horrifying trend.

The National Marine Fisheries Service in Californiahave put forward $20,000 - around £15,000 - to anyone who helps bring a burly, middle-aged man to justice after he was spotted sawing the head off the dead creature late July. He was then seen stuffing the animal's head in a plastic bag before leaving the scene.

They released an image of the man following the latest sickening act. He is described as a white male, approximately 5ft 9in, bald, with a full beard, and appearing in his late 50s. He used a hunting knife to hack the head off a sea lion at Point Pinos Beach in Pacific Grove.

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"We are seeking information on the person who decapitated the animal and any other details surrounding the incident," the NOAA said in a press release. The agency is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to an arrest, civil penalty assessment, or criminal conviction.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act makes it illegal to harass, harm, kill or feed sea lions and prohibits collecting marine mammal protected species pars. Violation of the act prosecuted civilly or criminally.

It came months after a man in his 30s was also seen removing dead sea lion’s head in Bodega Bay village before fleeing on an e-bike. Like in the latest incident, a reward was offered for information that leads to a conviction. The agency have yet to confirm if the man was ever bought to justice.

Last month a California beach that saw large numbers of the animals set up home on the sand was forced to close it to visitors. San Carlos Beach in Monterey told tourists to temporarily stay away after a colony of cute sea lions invaded - and there wasn't much room for sunbathers.

“We want residents and visitors to be safe while visiting the coastline,” the city said in a statement. They reminded people that the creatures are protected - and harassing, feeding, capturing, or killing these animals is against federal law.