Federal authorities seek person responsible for maiming manatee after cutting word ‘Trump’

Miami- US environmental authorities on Monday condemned the “cruel and illegal mutilation” of a Florida manatee who had President Donald Trump’s last name engraved on his back, and offered a $ 5,000 reward to find the person responsible.

The Center for Biological Diversity, in its St. Petersburg branch, on the west coast of Florida, recalled today that harassment of this marine species “is a federal crime punishable by a $ 50,000 fine and up to one year in prison.” .

He explained that the manatee, an endangered species, was found Sunday in the Homosassa River, in northern Florida.

“It is heartbreaking that this manatee has been subject to this nasty crime,” complained Jaclyn López, director of the Florida Center.

“It is clear that whoever harmed this defenseless and gentle giant is capable of serious acts of violence and must be stopped immediately,” he added.

Officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) began investigating the crime after the manatee was discovered with severe scars in the shape of the president’s last name.

They recalled that the manatee has been protected by the Endangered Species Act since 1963.

These aquatic mammals are herbivores with no natural enemies.

Most years, the deaths of these animals are boats, which, according to the center, are responsible for about 20% of known deaths caused by humans.

About 100 manatees are killed by boat collisions each year, while Florida boating has hit record highs and is rising.

A report from the center found that rapid government authorization of boat access projects without analyzing their collective impact is likely a key factor behind boat attacks, which are still the leading cause of manatee deaths.