(CNN) -
They offer a reward in Florida for information that helps to find and prosecute whoever wrote the word "Trump" on the back of a manatee.
The animal was discovered Sunday in Florida's Homosassa River with the US president's name written in capital letters on the back, according to a press release from the Center for Biological Diversity.
It is not clear what was used to mark the animal.
The center announced a $ 5,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person responsible, according to a press release.
"Manatee are not billboards and people shouldn't mess with these sensitive and endangered animals for any reason," said Jaclyn Lopez, Florida director of the Center for Biological Diversity.
"Regardless of how this manatee got that political graffiti, it is a crime to interfere with these creatures, which are protected by multiple federal laws."
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Officials with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are investigating.
Anyone with information can call the hotline at (888) 404-3922.
Florida manatees feed on plants, move slowly and are also known as "sea cows."
The manatee is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Animals are protected by the Endangered Species Act;
stalking a manatee is a federal crime.
Florida manatees
