Woman busted for riding a manatee in Florida, violating state law

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ^ | October 3, 2012 | Rheana Murray

[ConservativeStatement]

Police busted a Florida woman for an unusual crime — riding a manatee like a body board.

Ana Gloria Garcia Gutierrez turned herself in Tuesday after local police released photos of her catching a ride on a manatee, an endangered species, over the weekend in Tierra Verde, Fla.

“To her credit, she called us up and let us know she was the one in the pictures,” Sgt. David DiSano of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office told the Daily News.

[ConservativeStatement]

And here we are told that boat propellers are the primary cause to injury of the manatee.

[backwoods-engineer]

Oh! The HUGE MANATEE!

HA! In First!

[Alex Murphy]

Police busted a Florida woman for an unusual crime — riding a manatee like a body board.

Oh the hugh manatee!

[knittnmom]

I’m surprised the manatee put up with her. They’re supposed to be very shy.

[Pearls Before Swine]

Manatees are huge, bigger than dolphins. But, it’s ok to ride dolphins at the aquariums and make them do all sorts of foolish tricks. Why? Because the government has said it’s OK?

I doubt the manatee was harmed. In fact, I’m surprised the woman wasn’t harmed either.

[I cannot think of a name]

I really don’t know why she called them. From that picture, I would say there are about 800,000 suspects in South Florida.

[bicyclerepair]

Another Øbama voter, wonder which weighed more.

[Right Brother]

It's not just a huge manatee....

[Cicero]

Another Øbama voter, wonder which weighed more.

She must be following Michelle's principle diet rule: say one thing and eat another.

[RitchieAprile]

did the manatee smoke a cigarette afterwards?

[GraceG]

[Mr. Silverback]

NAPL!

[ruesrose]

Look at the joy on that woman’s face! I am happy that she had that experience.

[relictele]

“To her credit, she called us up and let us know she was the one in the pictures,” Sgt. David DiSano of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

Is this really why you chose a career in law enforcement, Sergeant?

[GQuagmire]

Which one is the manatee?

[Mr. Bird]

I envy her. Having grown up in Central Fla, I always wanted to do that.

[Puntagorda]

According to the local Fox news, the Manatee were attempting to mate and the woman chased them around, climbed on their backs and held them under water while they struggled to get free.

She did this in Fort De Soto Park, which has strict rules about not terrorizing the wild-life.

If she wants to ride something in the water, she should get a floatation device. Or maybe try riding two sharks while they try to mate.

[tumblindice]

[GreenHornet]

Woman busted for riding a manatee in Florida, violating state law

There's a state law against riding a manatee? Has this been a big problem in Florida?

[ConservativeStatement]

It's not limited to riding a manatee as described in this incident but there are state and federal laws that protect the species. Among the language is it is unlawful to “intentionally disturb” them which likely is how this scene was interpreted.