$10k reward to find awful person gunning down sea otters

Southern sea otters are protected as a threatened species.

This species, also known as the California sea otter, was listed as threatened in 1977, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Someone is shooting sea otters near Santa Cruz, California and they need to be brought to justice.

According to officials a fourth dead otter has also washed ashore, and investigators are checking to see if it also was a victim of gunfire.

The otters, which washed up the harbor between August 12-19, were revealed to have been killed days or weeks before they were found. Killing an otter can lead to fines of up to $100,000 and possible jail time. The fuzzy mammals, defacto mascots of Monterey Bay, have grown slowly in number, but have not recovered their historic range or population size.

The otters, all male, washed up between Santa Cruz Harbor and Seacliff State Beach in Aptos between August 12 and August 19.

Niswonger, who was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Jose, did not hit the animal or harm it.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking for help identifying those responsible.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

Officials have asked anyone that finds another dead or injured sea otter in the area to leave it in place, take a photo and immediately call the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Contact him at 408-920-5045.