'It's just a vicious act of brutality': Dolphin is found SHOT DEAD on California beach as $5,000 reward is offered to catch twisted gunman

  • WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE
  • Marine Animal Rescue president Peter Wallerstein told DailyMail.com he found the dolphin dead in the water off Manhattan Beach
  • He took the animal for testing and a radiograph showed a small caliber bullet, with a necropsy confirming the gunshot wound caused the dolphin's death
  • The group has offered a $5,000 reward for anyone offering information leading to the conviction of the person who shot the animal

By Stephanie Haney For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

A non-profit animal rescue group is offering a reward for information about the fatal shooting of a dolphin found in the water off of a Southern California beach.

Marine Animal Rescue shared a disturbing photo of the dead dolphin on Friday, which had been determined by their doctor to have died from a gunshot wound.

President and founder of the group Peter Wallerstein told DailyMail.com that he found the dolphin in the water off of Manhattan Beach and pulled it ashore, with all indications pointing to it having been freshly killed.

It's not clear exactly where the dolphin was when it was shot.

One Facebook user registered under the name David Darcy guessed that 'someone on a boat shot this beautiful animal,' which presumably then washed up with the tide to the shallow waters where Wallerstein found it.

'There is NO excuse for such brutality against these beautiful animals,' the group based out of El Segundo, California wrote with the photo.

'We are offering a $5,000.00 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person that shot the dolphin. Your help is appreciated.' 

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE 

Marine Animal Rescue is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person responsible for the fatal shooting of a dolphin found in the water off of Manhattan Beach. The dead animal is pictured

Marine Animal Rescue is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person responsible for the fatal shooting of a dolphin found in the water off of Manhattan Beach. The dead animal is pictured

The image shared shows the dolphin's lifeless body resting on the sand, where Wallenstein brought it ashore after finding it dead in the water. 

The group prefaced the post containing the image, which was shared with another photo of a live sea lion rescued from anther location, with the warning: 'The next photo, while upsetting, is important to share.'

'It shows a dolphin we found dead on Manhattan Beach, California. Upon rescue and examination, Dr. Palmer found that the dolphin died from a bullet wound,' the post read.

One Facebook user registered under the name David Darcy guessed that 'someone on a boat shot this beautiful animal,' which presumably then washed up with the tide to the shallow waters where Wallerstein found it. The dead animal is pictured where MAR president and founder Peter Wallerstein brought it in from the water

One Facebook user registered under the name David Darcy guessed that 'someone on a boat shot this beautiful animal,' which presumably then washed up with the tide to the shallow waters where Wallerstein found it. The dead animal is pictured where MAR president and founder Peter Wallerstein brought it in from the water

The gunshot wound is on the opposite side of the dolphin, not visible in the photo, Marine Animal Rescue president and founder Peter Wallerstein (pictured) told DailyMail.com

The gunshot wound is on the opposite side of the dolphin, not visible in the photo, Marine Animal Rescue president and founder Peter Wallerstein (pictured) told DailyMail.com

The gunshot wound is on the opposite side of the dolphin, not visible in the photo, Wallerstein said.

'It was a small caliber bullet,' he said. 'When I found it, it was in the water. I  brought it to the Marine Mammal Center and the staff there did a radiograph x-ray and found the bullet.

'They did a necropsy, which is an autopsy of a marine mammal, and determined it died from the gunshot wound.'   

The dolphin was already dead when Wallerstein found it, he said, adding that, 'It was likely a fresh kill.' 

The group prefaced the post containing the image, which was shared with another photo of a live sea lion rescued from anther location, with the warning: 'The next photo, while upsetting, is important to share'

The group prefaced the post containing the image, which was shared with another photo of a live sea lion rescued from anther location, with the warning: 'The next photo, while upsetting, is important to share'

Marine Animal Rescue has offered a $5,000 reward for anyone offering information leading to the conviction of the person who shot the animal. A Facebook user listed as Gareth Bogue commented on the post offering to contribute an additional $300 to the reward

Marine Animal Rescue has offered a $5,000 reward for anyone offering information leading to the conviction of the person who shot the animal. A Facebook user listed as Gareth Bogue commented on the post offering to contribute an additional $300 to the reward

Wallerstein turned the evidence over to the federal government's National Marine Fisheries Service, which is now conducting an investigation in the killing of the dolphin.

The agency's Long Beach field office can be reached by phone at 562-980-4000.

Marine Animal Rescue has offered a $5,000 reward for anyone offering information leading to the conviction of the person who shot the animal. 

A Facebook user listed as Gareth Bogue commented on the post offering to contribute an additional $300 to the reward. 

Individuals may reach the group by phone at 1-800-39-WHALE (94253).

The dolphin was already dead when Wallerstein found it in the water off of Manhattan Beach, he said, adding that, 'It was likely a fresh kill'

The dolphin was already dead when Wallerstein found it in the water off of Manhattan Beach, he said, adding that, 'It was likely a fresh kill'

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