In February 2025, a male sea otter — a federally protected species — was found tortured and killed on a beach near Oyehut, Washington. His body showed signs of deliberate and sustained abuse, including full-body bruising and bound hind feet. This was not an accident. It was a violent crime.

Sea otters are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which makes it illegal to harass, capture, or kill them. Violating this law carries serious penalties, including imprisonment. And yet, nearly nine months later, no one has been arrested or charged in connection with this horrifying act.

This isn’t just about one animal — it’s about protecting all wildlife from cruelty and holding offenders accountable. Sea otters are a keystone species vital to the health of our coastal ecosystems. Their recovery has been hard-won after nearly being wiped out by the fur trade, and their population in Washington remains vulnerable.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Defenders of Wildlife have offered rewards for information leading to a conviction, but we need more than hope — we need action. That’s why we’re calling on the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environmental Crimes Section to ensure this case receives the highest priority. The person who committed this crime must be found and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

We cannot let this cruelty go unanswered. Prosecuting this case sends a clear message: our laws matter, and we will protect the creatures entrusted to us.

Please add your name if you believe justice must be served — for this otter, for our planet, and for future generations who deserve to inherit a world where wildlife is protected, not tortured.