HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is offering up to $20,000 to anyone with information about a Hawaiian monk seal death on Molokai.
On Thursday, NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement said they were investigating the recent monk seal death, RU68, which appears to stem from human causes.
The administration said a necropsy, an animal autopsy, found preliminary evidence suggesting the monk seal died from blunt force trauma to the head between Aug. 17 and 18.
The monk seal’s death is a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Violations can be prosecuted civilly or criminally and are punishbal by up to $100,000 in fines and up to one year in jail per violation.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at 800-853-1964.
Officials said tips can be left anonymously, but to be eligible for the reward, a name and contact information are required. All names and contact information are confidential and will not be released to the public.
NOAA said it is looking for:
Successful identification and/orSuccessful prosecution for the person(s) responsibleArrest, conviction, or civil penalty assessment
Any dead, stranded or injured marine animals can be reported to the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840.
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