Marvel star Dave Bautista is offering a $ 20,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the person who scraped “TRUMP” on the back of a Florida manatee.
The “Guardians of the Galaxy” actor reacted to a tweet from a person who was dismayed by the act. Bautista wrote, “If there is still no reward for the arrest and conviction of the short-lived MAGATs who have done this, I will get $ 20,000.”
Bautista added, “And I promise there will be bonuses to this award!”
The former WWE star’s tweet was liked 2,000 times.
MANATEE WITH “TRUMP” SCREWED IN ITS BACK OF WILDLIFE EXPERTS
In addition to Bautista’s social media offering, the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit group that protects endangered animals, offers a $ 5,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in the case. .
THE FAITHS THAT INVESTIGATE WHO DRAW “TRUMP” ON THE BACK OF THE MANATIN IN FLORIDA
Last weekend, shocking images of the damaged manatee swimming in Homosassa Springs, Florida, went viral and sparked a federal investigation by the U.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Service, which has appealed to the public for information. about the incident.
“TRUMP” was scratched in a layer of algae on the manatee’s back and it appears the slow-moving animal was not seriously injured, authorities said.
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The Florida-based wildlife nonprofit Manatee Group says manatees are protected by the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
“Save the Manatee Club immediately learned of the situation and was dismayed at this harmful and disrespectful act towards an endangered species,” the group said in a statement on Tuesday.
The organization said whoever made the brush may have caused pain in the manatee.
“According to the photos and videos available, it looks like the perpetrator could have scratched the manatee’s skin with his fingers, scraping the algae that grow in slow-moving mammals,” Save the Manatee Club explained. “They may also have scraped the top layer of the manatee’s skin. Manatees have hard but sensitive skin, covered in tiny sensitive hairs, so this action may have caused discomfort or pain to the manatee.”
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Harassing a manatee, a federal crime, is punishable by a $ 50,000 fine and up to one year in prison.
James Rogers and Bradford Betz of Fox News contributed to this report, as did The Associated Press.