NOAA seeks person who killed dolphin with arrow
Posted: Dec 09, 2014 1:22 PM PST <em class=”wnDate”>Tuesday, December 9, 2014 4:22 PM EST</em>Updated: Dec 09, 2014 2:01 PM PST <em class=”wnDate”>Tuesday, December 9, 2014 5:01 PM EST</em>
NOAA photo of hunting arrow that was removed from dolphin.
NOAA photo of dolphin that had been shot with an arrow.
NOAA photo of pregnant dolphin that had been shot.
A $5,000 reward is being offered in the disturbing case of a dolphin that washed ashore dead with a hunting arrow protruding from its side.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is investigating the death, which happened over the weekend in Orange Beach, Alabama. The agency says it is the second human-related dolphin death in the Northern Gulf of Mexico since mid November.
NOAA scientists think the dolphin may have survived for at least five days before dying from a secondary infection caused by the wound. The dolphin was shot with a steel-tipped hunting arrow that had a yellow feather on it.
The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust are offering the reward with the hope it will lead to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.
“This intelligent, social creature experienced tremendous suffering from this senseless act. We are grateful for NOAA’s work to investigate this heinous crime and are hoping someone with information will come forward,” said Alabama HSUS Director Mindy Gilbert in a news release.
If you have information about the incident, call NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement in Niceville, FL, at (850) 729-8628 or the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964 as soon as possible. Tips can be left anonymously.
It was the second human-caused death of a dolphin since mid-November. NOAA is investigating the deadly shooting of a pregnant bottlenose dolphin found dead on Miramar Beach.
To report a stranded, injured or sick dolphin, call 1-877-WHALE-HELP (1-877-942-5343)
And From
Though it remains unclear just who the perpetrators of these killings are, there has been speculation that local fishermen — disgruntled by dolphins stealing their bait or catch — may be responsible.
There have, in the past, been instances of fishermen intentionally harming dolphins. In 2009, for example, a man in Panama City, Florida, was sentenced to two years in prison after he was found guilty of making pipe bombs to kill dolphins. Several fishermen have also been slapped with fines in recent years for shooting the animals.
NOAA photo of hunting arrow that was removed from dolphin.
NOAA photo of dolphin that had been shot with an arrow.
NOAA photo of pregnant dolphin that had been shot.
Exposing the Big Game 
So much for Homo sapiens, eh? The Earth is trying to get rid of us, but there are just so many, many of us, doing so many horrible things to non-human life.