CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — Federal wildlife authorities are investigating after a manatee was found north of the Tampa Bay area with the word “Trump” scraped into its back, the Citrus County Chronicle is reporting.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed to Action News Jax that it is investigating the matter. USFWS said the animal did not appear to be seriously injured, as the word was written in the algae on the animal’s back.
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The Chronicle reports that the manatee was found Sunday in the Homosassa River, which is in Citrus County, about 75 miles north of Tampa. USFWS released the following statement on the investigation:
“West Indian manatees are essential members of the ecosystems in which they inhabit and are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act,” said Aurelia Skipwith, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is aware of this incident and is working closely with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. If you have any information regarding this case, please call our wildlife crime tips hotline at 1-844-397-8477 or email us at FWS_TIPS@FWS.GOV.”
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Posted by Citrus County Chronicle on Monday, January 11, 2021
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