Overview
- Authorities opened an active investigation after a dead sea lion washed ashore at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach and was later found without its head.
- Wildlife experts, including a scientist from the California Academy of Sciences, assessed the removal as likely post-mortem rather than the cause of death.
- A separate decapitated sea lion was reported farther down the California coast in Pacific Grove, suggesting the Ocean Beach case is not isolated.
- Officials warned that disturbing or taking parts from marine mammal carcasses violates the Marine Mammal Protection Act and can carry fines and jail time.
- The public is urged to leave dead or stranded marine mammals alone and report sightings to local wildlife authorities or the Marine Mammal Stranding Network to preserve evidence and allow health and scientific checks.