Officials: Manatee in Florida had ‘Trump’ drawn on back

HOMOSASSA SPRINGS, FL (AP) — State and federal wildlife officials are investigating reports of a manatee found with “Trump” drawn on its back in a Florida river.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission say the aquatic mammal was spotted over the weekend in the Homosassa River in Citrus County.

Wildlife officials are looking for any information regarding the animal’s harassment.

“The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is investigating the harassment of a manatee…reported to federal authorities over the weekend discovered w/ words “Trump” scraped in its back …discovered in Blue Hole on the Homosassa River” (via @CitrusChronicle )
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Insurrectioning wildlife? pic.twitter.com/PvzI3pZ5Xn

— (@exavierpope) January 11, 2021

A nonprofit group that protects endangered animals is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in the case.

Harassing a manatee is a federal crime, and is punishable by a $50,000 fine and up to one year in prison under the Endangered Species Act.