Who shot this sea lion?

From the National Marine Fisheries Service:

Aug. 9, 2010

NOAA Enforcement seeks information in sea lion shooting

JUNEAU — NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement is asking for the public's help in finding out who shot a Steller sea lion that was found dead on a beach north of Juneau last week.

A thin and lethargic sea lion was first reportedly sighted on Tuesday, Aug. 3, between Amalga Harbor and Boy Scout Beach. It was spotted again in the same vicinity the following day.

The deceased sea lion was discovered on Boy Scout Beach at about 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6.

NOAA Fisheries veterinarian Kate Savage performed a necropsy Saturday to determine the cause of death. That's when she discovered a bullet casing in the 1-year-old male's shoulder.

"The probable cause of death is starvation resulting from the injury," Savage said. "The sea lion was unable to forage due to the wound in its shoulder, which was also badly infected."

NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement is asking anyone with information on the shooting to call 586-7225, or the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964.