Wanted: Woman Who Took Joy Ride on Manatee
Authorities in Florida are searching for a mystery woman who hitched an illegal ride on the back of a manatee.
Deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office responded to a call at Fort De Soto Park Sunday afternoon after a concerned witness reported a woman riding a manatee in the waterway.
Witnesses provided deputies with photographs of the woman on her joy ride and a description of her, but they were unable to locate her in the area.
No manatees were believed to have been injured, but the woman could face a second degree misdemeanor charge for disturbing the mammal, police said.
The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act states, "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."
