A dolphin was decapitated in North Carolina. NOAA is offering a reward for any information.
Editor's note. The contents of this story may be disturbing to some readers.
A bottlenose dolphin was found decapitated in North Carolina, and federal officials are offering up to $20,000 for information related to its death.
A citizen reported the deceased dolphin on April 15, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service. The carcass was recovered from Lea-Hutaff Island, an uninhabited area about 20 miles north of Wilmington.
NOAA said when responders located the marine mammal, "its head had been removed."
Decapitation violates the Marine Mammal Protection Act, officials say
According to the agency, officials believe the dolphin was dismembered between April 16 and 18.
A necropsy was performed, and NOAA reported that they suspect the dolphin had Brucella. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the bacteria can cause brucellosis, a disease that can spread through contact with contaminated animals.
"This animal was intentionally decapitated, a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act," the agency said. "The remote location where the dolphin was found adds to the difficulty of investigating this incident and the cause of death. We are calling on your help to find those responsible."
The NOAA Office of Law Enforcement is offering a $20,000 reward for information "leading to criminal conviction or the assessment of a civil penalty." Anyone with information is encouraged to call 800-853-1964.
Wildlife: Viewers can see hundreds of rattlesnakes come out of den on new Pennsylvania webcam
Man decapitates sea lion in California
There was another similar case that recently made headlines. In March, NOAA announced a $20,000 reward for a man accused of decapitating a sea lion in Northern California.
The agency said the animal was found dead last Christmas at Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay, and the suspect was seen using "a black 8-inch knife to remove the sea lion's head, placing it in a clear plastic bag, and riding away" on an electric bike.
Contributing: Gareth McGrath, Wilmington StarNews, Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
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