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.

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

After a Doran Regional Park staff member discovered a beheaded sea lion, authorities are now investigating the incident.

The suspect was seen using an 8-inch black knife to remove the sea lion’s head, placing it in a clear plastic bag, and riding away, authorities said.

Federal investigators with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of a person seen decapitating a sea lion on Christmas Day last year.