Investigation after manatee found with Trump written on its back
A reward is being offered for information that helps authorities find and prosecute whoever wrote "Trump" on a manatee's back.
The manatee was discovered on Sunday in Florida's Homosassa River with Mr Trump's name in capital letters on its back, according to a news release from the Centre for Biological Diversity.
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A manatee has been found in Florida with "Trump" marked on its back. CNN
It's not clear what was used to mark the animal.
The centre announced a US$5000 (A$6428) reward for information leading to a conviction of the person responsible, according to a news release.
"Manatees aren't billboards, and people shouldn't be messing with these sensitive and imperiled animals for any reason," Jaclyn Lopez, Florida director at the Centre for Biological Diversity, said.
"However this political graffiti was put on this manatee, it's a crime to interfere with these creatures, which are protected under multiple federal laws."
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Officials with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are investigating.
Florida manatees are slow-moving plant eaters also known as "sea cows".
The manatee is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The animals are protected by the Endangered Species Act; harassing a manatee is a federal crime.
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