After close examination of several Steller sea lion carcasses, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has concluded even more of the marine mammals found on a remote Alaska beach last month were intentionally killed by humans than originally thought.
A reward being offered for information leading to their killers has tripled to $7,500.
The sea lion carcasses were found June 1 near Softuk Bar, a beach on the Gulf of Alaska coast some 45 miles southeast of Cordova.
According to NOAA spokeswoman Julie Speegle, the agency closely examined 12 Steller sea lion carcasses and "conclusively determined" that six of the animals were killed by humans. Two others yielded strong evidence they were also killed by humans. In initial reports, the agency had said that humans killed between three and five of the sea lions.
Speegle declined to provide specifics about the cause of death Thursday, citing an ongoing investigation.
On Thursday, Cordova District Fisherman United added $5,000 to an existing $2,500 reward previously offered by NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement for information leading to a conviction in the case.
Anyone with information is urged to call NOAA Special Agent Glenn Charles at 907-271-1824. The agency is accepting anonymous tips.