Sea Lion ‘Pupnapping’ From L.A. Beach
Police in Los Angeles are no closer in finding and recovering a sea lion pup that was allegedly stolen over the weekend from a local beach.
A witness told authorities two men and two women were seen early Sunday April, 19, harassing a group of sea lions – throwing trash and even hurling a cement cinderblock at the animals. The group then was seen wrapping a sea lion pup up in a blanket, loading it into the trunk of a dark Honda Civic and then driving off.
Sick.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal law prohibits the harassment, hunting, capture or killing of sea lions. The criminal penalty for hurting a pup is up to $100,000 in fines and/or a year in jail.
Police contacted Marine Animal Rescue President Peter Wallerstein about the other pup that was not taken. Wallerstein said the animal was found in the bushes, unharmed but emaciated. It was rescued, according to law enforcement.
Southern California has been experiencing a record number of sea lion strandings and rescues since the beginning of the year. SeaWorld and other marine mammal professionals have been working overtime to rescue, rehabilitate and return the animals to the wild.
Here’s to hoping the sea lion pup that was stolen is found safe and the morons who stole it are prosecuted.
