US wildlife authorities are investigating after someone etched the word ‘Trump’ across a Florida manatee’s back.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) opened an investigation into the attack on the protected animal after it was first reported by the Citrus County Chronicle.
Images on social media showed the mammal swimming Homosassa River with the outgoing US President’s name clearly scratched into its back.
Here is the video of the poor manatee that had "TRUMP" carved into its body.
Minding it's own business and some monster(s) came along and did this.
If you have information on the person(s) who committed this federal crime please call 888-404-3922 https://t.co/maOImIxQS0 pic.twitter.com/Yx2qaGhFXe
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) January 11, 2021
The Centre for Biological Diversity said it was offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to a conviction “for the cruel and illegal mutilation” of the animal.
The FWS said the manatee did not appear to be seriously injured as the perpetrators had scraped algae off its back to write President Trump’s name.
However, officials have warned that the act was a form of harassment of a protected species and is illegal under state and federal law.
⚠️HELP FIND WHO MUTILATED A MANATEE: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating who carved the word "Trump" on a Florida manatee. USFWS is looking for any information: cal Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation hotline at 888-404-3922. https://t.co/FXQ2l3fYTj pic.twitter.com/jI9kL1BNe5
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) January 11, 2021
There are around 6,300 manatees in the Florida.
They are federally protected under the endangered species act.
Anyone prosecuted for the attack under federal law faces a fine of up €50,000 and a year in prison.
