Manatee Stops For A Drink As Bradenton Police Officers Hose Down Boat: Watch

BRADENTON, FL — While wrapping up a patrol shift, “an unexpected ‘dock inspector’ showed up for a drink” of water as Marine Unit officers rinsed off their boat, Bradenton police wrote in a social media post. “Yes - a manatee. And no, she did not ask for permission.”

Watch a video of the thirsty manatee below.

Police warned people against offering manatees a drink, themselves, though.

“As cool as it was, here’s the important part: manatees love fresh water, but we should never give it to them or encourage them to come close,” police wrote. “That makes them associate people and boats with handouts - which puts them in danger.”

After she enjoyed her drink, officers waited for the manatee to leave the area before docking.

“We skipped the citation (she refused to provide ID) … because even when they’re breaking the rules, manatees still get the right of way,” police wrote.

Watch a video of the manatee enjoying a drink from the hose below:

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