Dolphin Slaying: Juvenile Admits To Cruel Bow And Arrow Dolphin Killing


An investigation into the slaying of a dolphin in Florida waters earlier this month has been solved. Friday, police say a juvenile confessed to the deliberate killing of a bottlenose dolphin with a bow and arrow. Because the animal is a protected species and died in Alabama waters, federal agents were involved in the shooting death probe, according to an AL news report.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (or NOAA) led the investigation into the dolphin slaying. Agents say a minor child was identified as the main suspect into the death of the marine animal, which was found dead December 6 in an Orange Beach Bayou.

Investigators from Florida and Alabama partnered on the slaying of the dolphin. And using tips and other evidence, they were able to get a break in the case and locate the unnamed juvenile, who provided a written confession to the illegal killing. Because he is a minor, his name and other demographic information are not being released.

Officials received information about a dolphin found floating in Cotton Bayou weeks ago. The animal, which had a shooting arrow lodged in its back near its dorsal fin, was lifeless. Apparently, it had been dead for nearly a week.

A necropsy was conducted on the dolphin, and its manner of death was determined to be infection from a hunter’s arrow. A medical examiner said it likely suffered for five days before succumbing from the wound. The bow was confiscated by officers and used as evidence in the slaying. The federal agency released a statement after cracking the case.

Photos from a necropsy performed on a dead dolphin that stranded in Orange Beach with a hunting arrow in its side. (NOAA)

“NOAA federal agents are grateful to the other enforcement agencies assisting with the case as well as the help received from the public and the media. The publicity and tips helped federal agents find the person responsible for this incident.”

This slaying case comes on the heels of another dolphin death. Just before Thanksgiving, police found a pregnant dolphin dead in Choctawhatchee Bay in Miramar Beach, Florida. It died from gunshot wounds, and its fetus did not survive the violence. Authorities have no leads in the slaying of the pregnant dolphin.

According to federal law, it is illegal to harass, kill, harm, or feed any wild dolphin. The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 says any violation is subject to federal prosecution and punishable with fines up to $100,000, along with a one-year sentence in jail per violation.

Regarding the Florida dolphin slaying: Anyone with information on that incident should call NOAA’s enforcement office in Niceville, Florida, at 1-850-729-8628 or the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964 as soon as possible.

[Image via: NOAA via AL.com]

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