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Dave Bautista Offering Reward To Find Person Who Etched Trump Into Manatee’s Back

Dave Bautista Offering Reward To Find Person Who Etched Trump Into Manatee’s Back

Federal authorities have launched an investigation to catch the perpetrator.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Federal authorities have started an investigation into how the word 'Trump' was etched into the back of a manatee in Florida.

People around the world were shocked when images emerged on social media showing the sea creature's back unmistakably showing the President's name.

The animal was discovered in Florida's Homosassa River at the weekend after its peculiar markings on its back were identified by boat captain Hailey Warrington.

Authorities have since offered a $5,000 reward for anyone with information about who was behind the awful attack.

But Guardians of the Galaxy actor Dave Bautista has upped the ante on the offer and will give a reward five times that amount.

Writing on Twitter, the WWE star-cum-actor said: "If there's not already a reward for the arrest and conviction of the low life scummy MAGATs that did this I'll throw in $20,000. And I promise there will be bonuses to that reward!"

Fans backed the offering and thought it might entice people to speak up.

One person wrote: "The reward is awesome but I think the guilty person deserves a punch in the face by you. That would be the bonus."

Another said: "I'll throw in $100. I don't have much extra cash, but I love animals, and I abhor abusing animals."

A third added: "I live here in FL and am active in animal rescue and conservation. I've been trying to think of a way to offer some kind of reward but with things so financially difficult right now I couldn't. Absolutely crying. Thank you."

Fox13 says the slow moving animals usually build up a layer of algae on its skin and it appears the perpetrator etched Trump's name into this layer.

Douglas Nowacek, Repass-Rodgers University Professor of Conservation Technology at Duke University, told Vice News the incident is 'one of the most horrifying things I have ever seen done to a wild animal'.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is now leading the investigation to find who carried out this callous attack.

Manatees are protected by the Endangered Species Act and interference in the animal can result in a fine of up to $50,000 fine and/or up to one-year in federal prison.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Celebrity, News, Animals