The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, a nonprofit environmental group, has called for a federal investigation into Robert F. Kennedy Jr., following claims that he cut off the head of a dead whale and transported it across state lines over three decades ago. The organization has written to the directors of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), urging them to look into Kennedy's alleged actions, which were recounted by his daughter, Kick Kennedy, in a 2012 interview with Town & Country.

According to the article, news had spread of a dead whale washing up on Squaw Island in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his interest in studying animal skulls and skeletons, supposedly grabbed a chainsaw and swiftly removed the whale's head. He then secured it to the roof of the family minivan with bungee cords, embarking on a five-hour journey back to Mount Kisco, New York.

Kennedy's daughter, Kick, vividly described the unpleasant experience during the trip, with whale juice seeping into the car's windows and the pungent smell permeating the vehicle. In an attempt to cope, they resorted to wearing plastic bags over their heads. Kick commented, "People on the highway were giving us the finger, but that was just normal day-to-day stuff for us."

The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund alleges that Kennedy violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act and potentially the Endangered Species Act through his actions. In a letter addressed to the NOAA, Brett Hartl, the national political director for the organization, expressed their hope that Kennedy would surrender any illegally obtained wildlife, including the whale skull taken from the Massachusetts beach in 1994. The letter also requested that NOAA consider appropriate civil and criminal penalties for Kennedy's disregard of these crucial marine conservation laws.

At this time, Kennedy's spokesperson has not provided any comment or response to the allegations. As for the NOAA, they have yet to respond to inquiries regarding whether they will conduct an investigation into the matter.

This incident involving the whale's head is the second story this summer regarding Kennedy's handling of wildlife that has attracted attention and scrutiny. In a recent conversation with Roseanne Barr, Kennedy mentioned a 2014 prank where he humorously placed a dead bear cub in Central Park, having picked it up from the roadside and temporarily stashed it in his vehicle.

Kennedy, who recently suspended his independent presidential campaign and endorsed Donald Trump, is now expected to join Trump's presidential transition team. As the spotlight intensifies on Kennedy's activities involving wild animals, the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund remains firm in their plea for investigation and potential penalties related to his alleged offences against marine conservation laws.