A woman was arrested for riding a manatee — also known as a sea cow — in Fort De Soto Park near St. Petersburg. And worse: she was caught on camera in the act. When the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office released a photo that someone took of the incident, the suspect, identified as Ana Gloria Garcia Gutierrez, turned herself in. The state’s Manatee Sanctuary Act says 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” the endangered species. Gutierrez, who faced a possible fine of up to $500 or a six-month jail sentence, was released on $1,500 bail.
Freaky Florida: 15 Weird News Stories for the 500th Anniversary of the State’s Discovery
People do things differently in the Sunshine State — whether we’re talking about attacks by cannibals or by Taco Bell burritos, state-sanctioned python hunting or rogue manatee surfing.