Posted on Thu, Jul. 01, 2010

Environmental group Defenders of Wildlife is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who fatally shot a threatened southern sea otter. Wildlife authorities investigating the crime believe that the sea otter was either shot at sea or along the shoreline and was found north of the Morro Strand Campground on June 24.

“Killing a threatened animal is a shameful act and should not go unpunished,” said Jim Curland, marine program associate for the group. “We hope the reward will help bring whoever is responsible for this senseless shooting to justice.”

Information regarding the illegal killing of sea otters can be directed to special agent Mona Iannelli with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She can be reached by phone at (310) 328-1516 x229 or by e-mail at mona_iannelli@fws.gov

Funding for the Defenders of Wildlife's reward comes from their Endangered Species Reward Fund established in 1998 to bring illegal poachers to justice.