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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has announced a reward of up to $20,000 to whoever helps them find the person responsible for shooting and killing a dolphin at a beach near New Orleans, Louisiana.

NOAA fisheries, in a news release Tuesday, said that a dead bottlenose dolphin was found on West Mae’s Beach in Cameron Parish, Louisiana with multiple gunshot wounds on March 13 earlier this year. A member of the public had alerted Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline about the stranding and death.

"The dolphin, a juvenile, had injuries consistent with being shot with a firearm," NOAA said. "A necropsy revealed multiple bullets lodged in the carcass, including in the brain, spinal cord, and heart of the dolphin."

The sea animal "appeared to have died from the trauma," at or near the time of death, NOAA said.

As the government agency investigates the death, they have enlisted the public's help to find out who committed the act, offering a reward of up to $20,000.

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Dolphins are a protected species

Dolphins are protected species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and it is illegal to harass, harm, kill or feed wild dolphins. Violators "are punishable by up to $100,000 in fines and up to 1 year in jail per violation," as per NOAA.

NOAA has requested anyone with information on the incident to contact the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964. While tips can be anonymous, individuals will need to share their name and contact information to be eligible for the reward.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.