NOAA officials are looking for a suspect seen using a black 8-inch knife to remove the deceased sea lion's head.

LOS ANGELES - A bike rider who decapitated a dead sea lion over Christmas and rode off with the animal’s head in a clear plastic bag was being hunted in the US on M arch 13. Officials were offering US$20,000 (S$26,700) for information leading to the conviction of the man who sliced the creature’s head off on a California beach.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is offering up to $20,000 for information that leads to the arrest of a man who was allegedly seen decapiting a California sea lion.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement said a witness reported seeing a person decapitate the dead animal before leaving the area.

A $20,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the suspect who decapitated a sea lion on a California beach.