Don’t Touch Mating Manatees, Sarasota Police Warn

SARASOTA, FL — Officers spotted several manatees mating Sunday afternoon and “quite a few folks (who) were trying to touch them,” the Sarasota Police Department shared on Facebook.

Police warned beachgoers against touching manatees.

“Please don’t. It’s illegal and is dangerous to both you and the animal,” the agency said.

Manatees are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978, according to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

It’s illegal to feed, harass, harm, pursue, hunt shoot, wound, kill, annoy or molest manatees – including disturbing mating herds — FWC said.

Those convicted of violating Florida’s laws regarding manatees can be fined up to $500 or face up to 60 days in jail. For violating federal protection laws, those convicted face fines as high as $100,000 and up to one year in prison,

Anyone who sees a distressed or dead manatee in Sarasota or Manatee counties should call Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s 24/7 hotline at 888-345-2335.