Editor’s note. The contents of this story may be disturbing to some readers.

A bottlenose dolphin was found decapitated in North Carolina, and federal officials are offering up to $20,000 for information related to its death.

A citizen reported the deceased dolphin on April 15, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service. The carcass was recovered from Lea-Hutaff Island, an uninhabited area about 20 miles north of Wilmington.

NOAA said when responders located the marine mammal, “its head had been removed.”

Decapitation violates the Marine Mammal Protection Act, officials say

According to the agency, officials believe the dolphin was dismembered between April 16 and 18.

A necropsy was performed, and NOAA reported that they suspect the dolphin had brucella. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the bacteria can cause brucellosis, a disease that can spread through contact with contaminated animals.

“This animal was intentionally decapitated, a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act,” the agency said. “The remote location where the dolphin was found adds to the difficulty of investigating this incident and the cause of death. We are calling on your help to find those responsible.”

The NOAA Office of Law Enforcement is offering a $20,000 reward for information “leading to criminal conviction or the assessment of a civil penalty.” Anyone with information is encouraged to call 800-853-1964.

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Man decapitates sea lion in California

There was another similar case that recently made headlines. In March, NOAA announced a $20,000 reward for a man accused of decapitating a sea lion in Northern California.

The agency said the animal was found dead last Christmas at Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay, and the suspect was seen using “a black 8-inch knife to remove the sea lion’s head, placing it in a clear plastic bag, and riding away” on an electric bike.

Contributing: Gareth McGrath, Wilmington StarNews, Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

Nearly two months after leaving Boise State, Andrew Simpson finally found his new home in the transfer portal.

Simpson, who made 25 career starts for the Broncos at linebacker, announced his commitment to North Carolina on Wednesday. According to On3, Simpson was the No. 2 available linebacker in the transfer portal. 

A prep standout for Southern California power St. John Bosco High School, Simpson was a three-star prospect who signed with the Broncos over offers from Kansas, Oregon and San Diego State, among others. 

Simpson started three games as a redshirt freshman in 2022 before taking off as a sophomore, earning second-team all-Mountain West Conference honors with 66 total tackles (16 for loss) and 6.5 sacks. He missed time due to injury last season but still finished with 45 total tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. 

The 6-foot, 238-pound Simpson was slated to start at weakside linebacker before entering the transfer portal during spring practice. 

With Simpson hitting the portal, Boise State moved Jake Ripp from edge rusher to linebacker. Ripp was a spring standout and is expected to start for the Broncos opposite middle linebacker Marco Notarainni. 

Under first-year head coach Bill Belichick, North Carolina had previously added four linebackers in the transfer portal. Simpson joins a crowded linebacker portal class of Jonathan Agumadu (Oklahoma State), Mikai Gbayor (Missouri), Timir Hickman-Collins (Florida State) and Khmori House (Washington). 

Here are Boise State’s 18 scholarship transfer portal losses since the end of last season:

Defensive lineman Demanuel Brown Jr. (New Mexico State)

Running back Kaden Dudley

Linebacker Udoka Ezeani (UTEP)

Punter James Ferguson-Reynolds (Oregon)

Tight end Oliver Fisher (Idaho)

Wide receiver Jackson Grier (Appalachian State)

Edge rusher Nick Hawthorne (UMass)

Wide receiver Tyrone Jackson 

Edge rusher Joseph Marsh

Wide receiver Zamondre Merriweather

Linebacker Wyatt Milkovic (Western Illinois)

Quarterback Malachi Nelson (UTEP)

Linebacker Andrew Simpson (North Carolina)

Wide receiver Prince Strachan (USC)

Safety Gabe Tahir (Idaho State)

Cornerback Khai Taylor

Cornerback Dionte Thornton (Portland State)

Defensive lineman Tyler Wegis

Here are Boise State’s 15 transfer portal additions:

Kicker Colton Boomer (UCF)

Punter Oscar Doyle (Weber State)

Defensive back Demetrius Freeney (Arizona)

Defensive back Derek Ganter Jr. (Eastern Washington)

Long snapper Hunter Higham (Hawaii)

Kicker Evan Kiely (Sacramento State)

Edge rusher Sterling Lane II (Arizona)

Defensive lineman David Latu (BYU)

Defensive lineman Keanu Mailoto (Arizona)

Defensive back Jaden Mickey (Notre Dame)

Running back Malik Sherrod (Fresno State)

Offensive lineman Alma Taleni (Utah)

Offensive lineman Miles Walker (Ohio State)

Defensive lineman Dion Washington (Hawaii)

Edge rusher Malakai Williams (Idaho)

Small farms in North Carolina continue to rebuild following the lasting impacts of Hurricane Helene

Communications and Engagement Director of ASAP, Sarah Hart, joins FOX Weather to discuss Hurricane Helene’s long-lasting impact on small farms in the Asheville community and how to help in the future.