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Monday, January 11, 2021

Bloggytown

Federal authorities look into abuse after Florida manatee found with ‘Trump’ scraped on its back

Posted By Colin Wolf on Mon, Jan 11, 2021 at 1:56 PM

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Officials are investigating after a Florida manatee was abused last weekend.

The Citrus County Chronicle reports that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently seeking information regarding a manatee that was discovered with “Trump” scraped into its back near the Blue Hole on the Homosassa River.

According to the FWC, manatees are considered “threatened” in the state of Florida, and it is against the law to touch the animals. Manatee are also protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978, which states: "It is unlawful for any person, at any time, intentionally or negligently, to annoy, molest, harass, or disturb any manatee."

Last February, a Tampa Bay man poked a manatee with a fishing pole from his boat and faced a $2,000 fine.

Anyone with information regarding the “Trump” scraping of this animal can call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hotline at 888-404-3922 with information.

“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
— 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐞 (@exavierpope) January 11, 2021

This post first appeared on our sister site Creative Loafing Tampa.

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Tags: manatee, insurrection, Florida wildlife, FWC, US Fish and Wildlife, Image

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