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Search underway for person who carved ‘TRUMP’ into manatee’s skin

$5,000 reward offered for information leading to conviction

FILE: Manatee resting at Three Sisters Springs (Crystal River NWR) while shading over a school of mangrove snappers. (Center for Biological Diversity)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A manatee was found in a Florida river with the word “TRUMP” etched into its back.

Now, the search is on for the person or people responsible.

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The Center for Biological Diversity is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to a conviction for what it calls “the cruel mutilation of a threatened Florida manatee.”

The manatee was found in north Florida’s Homosassa River.

Harassment of a manatee is a federal crime punishable by a $50,000 fine and up to a year in prison, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation at 888-404-3922.