A reward has soared to 50 thousand dollars for information about three sea lions deaths, in Southland

The New Zealand Sea Lion Trust initially offered five thousand dollars, it was then increased to 12 thousand after support from Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance, and donations from the community.

Now an anonymous benefactor is raising the reward to 50 thousand dollars, for information that will lead to a conviction.

The first reward was offered after a female sea lion, and her pup, were shot in the Catlins area last year.

Two months later, a third sea lion was stabbed and left to die.