A Facebook page making rounds on social media advertising “Manatee Hunting Excursions” is drawing controversy in the state of Florida.
The Facebook page Manatee Hunting Excursions has over 7,000 likes.
The page claims the group is “South Florida’s Only Licensed Manatee Fisher.”
While the page is meant as a joke, some Floridians are concerned people will think hunting manatees is legal.
Manatee expert Kim Tucker from FGCU told NBC 2 News “I think even though it’s meant to be funny, and I’m sure the people running the page aren’t serious about it, other people could take it seriously, and think that it’s okay.”
Tucker says humans are most often to blame for manatee deaths, stating “manatees’ main predator is actually humans, they’ve been affected by red tide in the past, this year, it’s been mainly the lack of food.”
The Florida Wildlife Commission said they reviewed the page and found no violations, but they want to remind people that it’s illegal to hunt, harm or harass manatees.