"The death of six captured sea lions underscores that the original multi-agency trapping program was ill-conceived and poorly executed. The remaining sea lions in the area are fortunate that the capture program has been terminated for at least the rest of the year. The federal government should have done a better job of protecting these creatures that it promised to live-trap and relocate.

That the sea lions died of heat prostration on a day when temperatures didn't go above 60 degrees seems unrealistic. But whether they were deliberately killed or whether they died in the cages of heat stroke, this was a tragedy that could have been avoided in the first place. 

The Humane Society of the United States' $5,000 reward stands for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individuals who may have been involved in closing the traps and killing the sea lions."

—Kelly Peterson, The HSUS' state director, Oregon 

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.