Marvel star Dave Bautista is offering a $ 20,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the person who scraped “TRUMP” on a hippopotamus in Florida.
The actor “Guardians of the Galaxy” responded to a tweet from a person who was horrified by the act. Bautista wrote: “If there is not yet a reward for the arrest and conviction of the bad MAGATs who did it, I will bring in $ 20,000.”
Bautista added: “And I promise there are bonuses for the award!”
The tweet from the former WWE star was held 2,000 times.
MONTEE WITH ‘TRUMP’ SCREWED ON HIS BACK SUBJECTS SUPERVISION OF WILD EXPERTS
In addition to Bautista’s social media offering, the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit group that protects endangered animals, is offering a $ 5,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in the case.
‘FEDS INVESTIGATE WHO SCREWED’ TRUMP ‘ON THE MANATEE’S BACK IN FLORIDA
Last weekend, shocking images of the disfigured hippopotamus swimming in Homosassa Springs, Florida went viral, prompting a federal investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which called on the public to provide information about the incident. .
‘TRUMP’ was scraped into a layer of algae on the hippo’s back and it appears the slow-moving animal was not seriously injured, authorities said.
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The organization Save the Manatee, a non-profit wildlife group in Florida, says hippos are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
“Save the Manatee Club was immediately made aware of the situation and is upset about this disrespectful, harmful act towards a species in danger,” the group said in a statement on Tuesday.
The organization said that whoever did the scraping could cause the hippo pain.
“Based on the available photos and videos, it appears that the offender may have scratched the hippo’s skin with their fingers and scraped the algae that grows in the slow-moving mammals,” Save the Manatee Club explained. “They may also have scratched the top layer of the hippo’s skin. Hippos have a tough but sensitive skin, covered with small, sensory hairs, so this can cause the manatee discomfort or pain.”
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Harassment of a hippopotamus, a federal crime, can be punished with a fine of $ 50,000 and up to one year in prison.
Fox News’ James Rogers and Bradford Betz contributed to this report, as did The Associated Press.