ORLANDO, Fla. _ The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seeking help after a dolphin was impaled in the head and found dead in Florida in May, the organization said in a news release.
The bottlenose dolphin was discovered along Upper Captiva Island in Lee County, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission retrieved it. A necropsy showed the dolphin, an adult male, had been wounded with a spear-like object while still alive, the NOAA said.
The wound was above and in front of the dolphin's right eye and extended about six inches toward the top and back of its head, the NOAA said.
Since 2002, the NOAA said at least 26 dolphins have been shot with guns or arrows or impaled.
The NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement and other agencies are offering an award up to $38,000 leading to information that results in "an arrest, conviction or civil penalty assessment" against those responsible in this case. The number to call is 1-800-853-1964.
