An anonymous benefactor's generosity is funding a 50-thousand-dollar reward for information on the deaths of three sea lions in Southland

The New Zealand Sea Lion Trust is asking for details of a female sea lion and her pup being shot in the Catlins last year - and a third sea lion stabbed two months later.

Trust Co-chair, Shaun McConkey, says they've been blown away by support from the public.

He says a couple of people have been in touch so far, but it's early days and he encourages anyone who may know something to come forward.