Federal officials believe someone beat a young Hawaiian monk seal to death on Molokai, and they are paying for tips — bad news for one of the world's most endangered seal populations.

• A one-year-old monk seal died of blunt-force trauma, likely to the head, in mid-August.
• NOAA is offering up to $20,000 for information leading to whoever did it.
• Killing a monk seal can bring a civil penalty on top of any criminal case.
• The public can report tips through NOAA's enforcement hotline.

Outlook: The case stays open until someone comes forward, and pressure will grow on Molokai residents to help identify a suspect.