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Despite their size, manatees are harmless to humans
Photo: Daniel Karmann / picture alliance / dpa
A stranger carved the surname of US President Donald Trump into the skin of a manatee in Florida.
The authorities in the state of Florida have started the manhunt.
The perpetrator expects a fine of up to 50,000 dollars, said investigator Craig Cavanna, according to the local newspaper "Citrus County Chronicle".
The injured manatee was discovered on Sunday in the Homosassa River in western Florida.
On a video published by the Citrus County Chronicle, the name "Trump" was clearly visible on the animal's back.
It was initially unclear when it was injured.
Florida is home to around 7,500 manatees who winter in the relatively warm waters of the Homosassa River.
The river is a popular destination for tourists.
The manatees can be touched in the shallow water - this makes the mammals related to elephants easy to attack.
According to the Florida Commission on the Protection of Fish and Wildlife, 637 manatees died last year, 90 of them from collisions with boats and 15 from other human interference.
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