[DiamondSmiles]

Woman Wanted for Manatee Riding

http://www.wtsp.com/video/default.as...=1873295086001

Tierra Verde, Florida -- Pinellas deputies are looking for the woman who was seen, "riding" and touching, a manatee at Fort DeSoto Park Sunday afternoon.

The Environmental Lands and Marine Enforcement Unit of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office responded received reports of the woman's ride around 1 p.m., just north of the Gulf Pier. When they arrived, she was nowhere to be found.

According to the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act, 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."

Police say while no manatees appear to have been injured, violating the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act is a second degree misdemeanor.

Authorities now ask anyone with information on this woman, or her whereabouts to contact Deputy Charlie Tita of the Environmental Lands and Marine Enforcement Unit at 727-582-6200.

A lively discussion about this story and these photos is going on right now on our Facebook page. We'd love you to join the conversation at the link below and comment on this story on our Facebook page.

Facebook: Police on the lookout for woman riding manatees

*Update*

Woman Caught Riding Manatee Turns Herself In

A woman who police said was seen touching and riding a manatee in Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas, Fla., over the weekend turned herself in to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Tampa Bay Times reported.

Ana Gloria Garcia Gutierrez, 52, told police Tuesday that she wasn't aware what she did was against the law, the report said.

Witnesses gave authorities her description and photos of her riding the sea cow, which is a second-degree misdemeanor. She was seen riding the manatee at 1 p.m. Sunday in the water north of Gulf Pier, authorities said.

Gutierrez was not arrested or charged, but the charges were referred to the state attorney's office, according to the Times.

The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Acts states that: "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."

Authorities say the penalty for the woman could be up to 60 days in jail and a possible fine of $500.

Authorities don't believe any manatees were injured.

"It's a wild animal. It's not something to be ridden," Susan Butler, a manatee expert with the U.S. Geological Survey in Gainesville, told the Times. "I can't say that as a biologist I would ever, ever condone that, or say that (the manatee) wanted them to do that."

[Rfneimad]

She wants to be with her own kind? Also, manatees are like mopeds...

[juliemd]

well, there goes my dream of seeing one up close, with laws like that around. The riding one i can see the harm, but touching nah.

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by juliemd ↗

well, there goes my dream of seeing one up close, with laws like that around. The riding one i can see the harm, but touching nah.

There is always one asshole to ruin things for everyone else.

How would they know if the manatee didn't like being touched by a person or where it was touched?

[Seven Of Nine]

Shaking head. Worry about people abusing kids and don't make a federal case out of someone touching a fucking manatee. I can see giving her a fine or a scolding if someone in authority had witnessed it but to invest $ into searching for her ...fuck the fuck off.

[xstunt1ngx]

They probably thought she was one of their own.

[Angelahh]

Human threat is a big issues with manatees - disease and boat props. The former the reason for not touching them.

And on another note; that fat bitch should also be be ticketed for indecent exposure.

[mcpronoun]

She was probably hoping it would have sex with her... I mean look at her... would you fuck her?

[Dynamo47]

She should be charged with a felony for wearing a two piece bathing suit in public.

[Sharon]

'No manatee riding' - they are delicate animals and should be left alone not messed about with by knobheads riding them. Stroking them and touching them, maybe, but don't LIE on them. Silly mare.