New Hampshire Fish and Wildlife Agents along with the National Marine Fisheries are investigating what happened to 4 seals found skinned with their genitals removed. 2 of the seals washed ashore on Hampton Beaches. 2 others were found in the ocean.
The removed genitals could have gone to an overseas market, where they are considered to be an aphrodisiac.
Authorities have turned to local fishermen and sports enthusiasts for help. Case Updates| Posted on May 13, 2004 - 7:23AM | Special Agent, Joe Green with the National Marine Fisheries Service is investigating and interested in finding the people who are in the black market of buying and selling the sex organs of seals.
9 seals have been killed, 4 are believed to have been poached. 2 seals were discovered last summer off Hampton Beach, a 3rd found last fall in Kittery, Maine and the latest was found off Wood Island in January 2004.
Investigators have not ruled out the Asian market where the organs are used in folk medicines.
The investigation has gone to Canada, where possessing the sex organs is legal. The organs from 1 seal are valued at several hundred dollars. |
| Posted on May 13, 2004 - 7:11AM | Kim LaFrance and her husband, Craig Mitchell from Rye NH, outraged by a series of seal killings in New England have started a reward fund to catch the poachers. Carcasses from 8 seals, some with mail genitalia removed, some skinned, have been found in Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire.
The National Marine Fisheries Service and the law enforcement bureau of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , along with other government agencies, are investigating the deaths of the seals.
If you would like to contribute to the"Seacoast Seal Reward" fund you can make a donation at any of the Ocean National Bank branch offices or by mail to P.O. Box, Portsmouth, NH 03802. The fund is not a 501(c) nonprofit and donations are not tax deductible.
"This reward fund was established by citizens who are outraged by this sadistic act of animal cruelty and want the person(s) responsible for this crimbe caught" stated LaFrance.
A separate such fund was established earlier this year with donations coming from state and federal agencies as well as from local businesses and PETA. Currently there is $11,350 in that fund.
Anyone with information about this case should contact NOAA law enforcement at 800-853-1964. Local calls can also be made to lead investigative agent Chris Shoppmeyer at 603-436-4414. Information can be given anonymously. |
If you have information on this case, please contact:
NH Fish & Wildlife, Law Enforcement Division
[email protected]
603-271-3127
References | WMUR TV Channel 9 | | The Boston Herald | | Portsmouth Herald | | WMUR Channel 9 TV |
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