WARNING: This video report contains imagery that may be disturbing to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Wildlife experts are investigating a case of a decapitated sea lion at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. The California Academy of Sciences received the call of the dead animal on Sept. 9. When Associate Manager of Marine Mammal Stranding Sue Pemberton and her team arrived at the beach, they discovered the dead animal in a more disturbing state than expected. “During our field response, it was noted that the head was missing, and there was a very clean cut at the neck which indicates that it was removed by a very sharp object,” said Pemberton. She said scientists will remove heads of dead mammals for research collection, but that’s not what happened in this case. Pemberton suspects someone took it upon themselves to decapitate the sea lion and it’s not the first time. “A few weeks ago, I want to say down in Monterey or Santa Cruz County, somebody was seen removing a skull and that person has been arrested and charged,” said Pemberton. Removing any part of a dead sea lion is illegal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, penalties could result in fines up to $36,000 and one year in jail. “All Marine Mammals are protected in life and in death,” said Pemberton. If you come across a dead sea lion, or any other marine mammal on a beach in the Bay Area, you can call the California Academy of Sciences hotline at (415) 379-5381 to report it. ...read more read less