Reward increased for dolphin shot and killed

Authorities are now offering $11,500 for any information on who shot and killed a pregnant dolphin in Waveland in April.

The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies found the bottlenose dolphin and froze the body until a complete necropsy could be performed. That report showed the animal had been killed by a small caliber bullet.

Dr. Moby Solangi, president and executive director of the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, tells News 25 this is not the first time they have seen a mammal shot and killed. “There is really no reason for anyone to hurt an animal and especially after the BP oil spill when a large number of animals died. We are hoping that these animals will come back, reproduce, and every young baby is a positive step in the restoration.”

NOAA officials are asking anyone with information about this incident to please call the NOAA enforcement hotline at 1-800-853-1964.