A video that has gone viral on social media shows at least three men dragging a shark from the back of a moving speedboat, and now, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating.
The 10-second video, which has been viewed more than 250,000 since Monday morning, shows the shark flailing in boat's wake as it's tethered to the stern of the speeding watercraft.
It's unclear if the shark is alive or dead.
The camera then pans to three young men who are laughing, pointing and filming.
"Look, it's already almost there," one man said in the video.
[WARNING: Some may consider the video below to be graphic. Discretion is advised.]
FWC public information coordinator Rob Klepper said Wednesday morning that the men in the video have been identified, thanks in part to tips from the public. Their names will not be released to the media at this time because the investigation is ongoing, FWC said.
"It is too early to speculate as to what, if any, violations took place in this incident. However, the FWC would like to state that that the lack of respect shown in this video for our precious natural resources is disheartening and disturbing, and is not representative of conservation-minded anglers around the world," Klepper said.
Miami charter boat captain "Mark the Shark" posted the video to his Facebook and Instagram pages Monday afternoon, outraging his tens and thousands of fans and followers.
"Freakin clowns. They should be seriously heavily fined. This is a complete joke! I don't even like sharks but doesn't mean it's okay to torture it," one Facebook user wrote.
News 6 has reached out to a man who online commenters have identified as being on the boat featured in the video. This post will be updated when and if he responds.Â
Klepper said that the investigation into the video is ongoing.
"The FWC has been alerted to a video circulating on multiple social media sites showing a group of individuals traveling at high speed on the water, dragging a shark behind the vessel," Klepper said. "The FWC takes this very seriously and is currently investigating this incident."
Anyone with information is asked to call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 or email Tip@MyFWC.com.Â