Man wanted in gruesome Christmas day sea lion decapitation on California beach

Federal investigators with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of a person seen decapitating a sea lion on Christmas Day last year.  

In a news release, federal officials said the gruesome discovery at Doran Regional Park, approximately 70 miles north of San Francisco, happened after a park staff member had spotted the fully intact sea lion, dead and washed ashore.  

At some point after the initial sighting of the dead marine mammal, a witness told park staff that a man used a black eight-inch knife to remove the sea lion’s head before placing it into a clear plastic bag and riding away on a bicycle.  

Marine mammals, including the sea lion, are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which makes it illegal to capture, kill, hunt or harass the animals. Violations of the protection act can result in fines of thousands of dollars and possibly jail time.  

Despite their protected status, sea lions continue to run into trouble where humans are concerned. 

In August 2024, a 2-year-old sea lion was found with gunshot wounds between lifeguard stations 22 and 23 on Bolsa Chica State Beach in Orange County. The marine mammal died a day later.  

Just five months earlier, in Ventura County, a 32-year-old man was arrested after Ventura Police Department employees monitoring a beach camera witnessed the man beating the sick marine mammal with a stick.  

The suspect involved in the Christmas Day decapitation was described as a tan-complexioned male between the age of 30-40, dressed in all black who was riding on a fat-tire e-bike. 

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact NOAA’s 24/7 enforcement line at 800-853-1964.  

To report a stranded, dead or injured marine mammal, call the West Coast Mammal Stranding Network at 866-767-6114.