A manatee has been discovered with ‘Trump’ scraped on its back in a Florida river.

It appears the word was written in algae that had grown on the animal’s back, not scratched into its skin.

Wildlife officials said the manatee did not appear to be seriously injured, but have launched an investigation.

The aquatic mammal was spotted over the weekend in the Homosassa River in Citrus County, about 80 miles north of Tampa.

The authorities are looking for any witnesses or information on who did this to the protected creature.

‘West Indian manatees are essential members of the ecosystems in which they inhabit and are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act,’ the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) said.

Harassing a manatee is a federal crime and is punishable by a $50,000 (£37,000) fine and up to one year in prison.

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