A manatee in Florida was discovered with President Trump’s name on its side.
What We Know:
- Officials found a manatee in the Homosassa River on Monday. The word “TRUMP” was etched into its side. An investigation has been opened to look into the incident.
- According to NBC News, the U.S. and Wildlife Service is concerned with the manatee’s wellbeing and want to know who defaced the animal. Luckily, the manatee does not appear to be hurt. Someone etched Trump’s name onto what seems to be algae on the manatee’s body.
- Manatees are under protection in state and federal law. The species were on the endangered species list in 2017 but because of population increase, manatees have now been considered a threatened species. Manatees are slow, so they are more vulnerable to human interaction, fishing nets, and motorboats.
- Additionally, manatees are under the national Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Flordia Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978. Possible federal conviction of harassing a manatee can cost one up to $50,000 and a year in prison.
As conversationalists seek more information, they ask anyone with information to call the Fish and Wildlife crime tips hotline at 844-397-8477.
