Investigators are searching for a person of interest in the stabbing of an elephant seal pup earlier this year along the Oregon Coast.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the seal pup survived the attack but sustained multiple stab wounds. The pup has been relocated.

NOAA officials said the stabbing occurred in a cove on a beach in Neskowin, Oregon, near the Proposal Rock condominiums on March 16 between 8 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

Eric Morgan, the deputy special agent in charge at NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement, said investigators are asking for the public help in locating a “person of interest.” NOAA enforces more than 40 laws aimed at protecting marine life and their habitat.

“It’s very rare to hear of this type of crime where someone would do something like this, and that is why we’re wanting to make sure and identify this individual,” Morgan said. “We were disturbed about that behavior and why they would do that to one of these seals.”

Morgan said investigators are looking for a man described as white, about 5-foot-10, with black and white hair, a groomed beard and a large gap between his front teeth.

He was last seen wearing a thin, blue and light green fleece top, a blue and yellow thread cord around his neck, dark trousers and a low-profile black cap with the word “Timber” on it.

NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is also seeking information about the owner of a vehicle that might be connected with the person of interest. A dark blue 1990s Dodge or Chrysler van was seen in the parking lot adjacent to the cove behind the condominiums.

The van’s rear passenger window on the driver’s side was covered in plastic and the inside of the vehicle seemed to be filled with clutter.

According to NOAA, harassing, harming, killing or feeding wild elephant seals is prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Morgan said violations can be prosecuted and can face up to $100,000 in fines and up to one year in jail.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964. People can remain anonymous.

Morgan said the seal pup was recently spotted near Seaside, Oregon. It was relocated by The Marine Stranding Team, which evaluated the seal pup before moving it.

“It appears that it is doing well and looks very healthy,” Morgan said.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/05/06/noaa-looking-for-person-of-interest-in-seal-pup-stabbing/