69Mach390

Federal authorities look into abuse after Florida manatee found with ‘Trump’ scraped on its back

https://m.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/ar...ed-on-its-back

Phins360

Never mind the kids <14 that are raped and physically abused every day in this state. No. post away about this trivial BS

Maybe the manatee has a straw in its nose too.

Pathetic

69Mach390

I put a question mark at the end of “Manatee Abuse” because I think it’s kinda ridiculous.

The headline makes it sound like someone carved into the skin of a Manatee. The video shows that someone used their fingers to scrape scum off the back of the manatee.

It’s the equivalent of writing “wash me” on the window of a dirty car.

If petting an animal is “abuse,” then lock anyone with a cat or dog up.

Definitely goes in the “ridiculous laws” section.

FishnDive

Petting manatees is a crime, definitely in the ridiculous laws sections

In Florida, touching a manatee is a misdemeanor, and the penalty is up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Violators could also be charged under federal law, which carries an even stiffer penalty of up to one year in prison and $50,000 fine.

gfretwell

They do have some silly laws in the effort to protect animals. It is illegal to pick up a gopher tortoise and move him out of a busy road

CaptainRobin

There is footage and photos going around social media using the word "carved" instead of scraped. Not to get too political but you could guess who uses the term "carved" to incite a bigger reaction. The people that have never been around a manatee do not understand that you can wipe the algae off with your finger so they think it was actually carved in the skin. Clearly against the law but I doubt there was any malicious intent. I'd be willing to speculate the Manatee enjoyed the back rub.

CT Striper

If it didn't enjoy it, it would have taken off. No one's preventing a manatee that size from leaving w/out some big equipment. Media is definitely looking for a reaction with the terminology they've been using.

mikefloyd

Seems like the big concern is the word on his back not the fact someone scrapped out the growth on the outside of his skin to put it there. It's a wrong thing to do but it doesn't look like the manatee was injured in the process.

burningdaylight

Was it illegal? Yes.
Did it harm the manatee? No
Is the story inflammatory? Yes
Was it a douche bag act by whoever did it? Also yes

jillybird

Truly a ridiculous waste of government resources to investigate this further. And I’m a tree hugging lib.

69Mach390

I think it’ll be added to the list in his impeachment.

Because he clearly incited the criminal to attack the Manatee.

Midnight Runner

looks like it was cleaned on the back of the Manatee.. dickhead move to do that

gfretwell

If this shocks you, I bet you won't believe what they do to land cows.
I just cooked a piece of one tonight.

slickster

No actual abuse going on here....ever consider the manatee might have asked another manatee to do that?

MiamiJay

Kill all the golfers???

cronced

Guess my new nickname is "Repeat Offender".

k9medic

Close, but not entirely correct. Touching a manatee is not a crime. If it was, thousands of people who dive in Crystal River would have arrest records. You can touch a manatee but it has to come to you. You cannot pursue it and then touch it.

FSS 379.2431 ... "it is unlawful for any person at any time, by any means, or in any manner intentionally or negligently to annoy, molest, harass, or disturb or attempt to molest, harass, or disturb any manatee; injure or harm or attempt to injure or harm any manatee; capture or collect or attempt to capture or collect any manatee; pursue, hunt, wound, or kill or attempt to pursue, hunt, wound, or kill any manatee; or possess, literally or constructively, any manatee or any part of any manatee."

What is sad is that 30+ years ago when I when I was growing up in Crystal River, we were encouraged to scrub the algae off of manatees. I recall a trip from the Marine Science station where we spent an entire day "cleaning" the backs of manatees. They loved having their backs scratched and I doubt that has changed. The only thing that has is the people...

20biminitwist

The media finds this news worthy. WTF

I have a manatee that comes right to me when I stick the boat brush in the water but I don't scratch his back if anyone is around to see it. Scared some tree huger might sink my boat.

acme54321

I had this discussion with my parents last night. The way all of the stories read that the word was carved/gouged/scratched into the manatee's back. 99% of the population of the US will read that and think that the animal was physically harmed because that's what they read. They don't have any interaction with actual manatees in their daily lives and cant decipher from the pictures that it was just algae rubbed off of the thing's back. Was it stupid, illegal and douchey? Absolutely. Are the news articles skewing the truth and blowing it out of proportion? Absolutely.

mikeloew

My wife and I have been following this mama for a few years now, She is always by our dock and we have seen her with two different calf's now. I believe this one is only a few days old. Our whole back yard is all concrete to the water, and they know they can get a lot of fresh water from the run off after a rain. They position themselves in the best spot and let the stream pour into their mouth. Never gets old watching it.