Federal authorities are investigating after a hippopotamus was discovered in Florida with the word ‘TRUMP’ on its back.
A spokesman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service told BuzzFeed News that the mammal was apparently not “seriously injured,” saying the word was apparently etched into the algae on top of its skin.
An underwater video shared by captain Hailey Warrington on Fox Fox News in Orlando showed the marks on the hippopotamus as it crossed the Homosassa River.
Wildlife officials are looking for the person who scratched the word ‘TRUMP’ on a hippo in the Homosassa River in North Florida. STORY: https://t.co/uZnvQ94V3V š„: Hailey Warrington
@ fox35orlando / Twitter / Via Twitter: @ fox35orlando
Warrington told the local TV station that she noticed the hippopotamus, which she recognizes as a regular in the area, as she led a tour on Sunday.
“It was a characteristic thing for us to see,” she said, adding that the animal appeared to be very upset, although it did not appear to be wounded. ‘
Hippos, which are protected under the Endangered Species Act, are slow-moving herbivores without natural predators. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, humans regularly pose a danger to mammals, especially if boats collide.
The center is offering a $ 5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
“Hippos are not billboards, and people should not mess with these sensitive and uncomfortable animals for whatever reason,” said Jaclyn Lopez, director of the Center in Florida. “However, this political graffiti has been placed on this hippo, but it is a crime to interfere with these creatures, which are protected under various federal laws.”
Harming or harassing a hippopotamus is a federal offense punishable by up to one year in prison and a $ 50,000 fine.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s hotline for crime tips at 1-844-397-8477 or email [email protected].