Manatee Molester on the Loose in Tampa Bay

An unidentified woman was seen hitching a ride on the back of a manatee in the waters off Fort De Soto Park in the Tampa Bay area, which runs afoul of the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act.Now authorities are looking for the manatee molester...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

October 2, 2012

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An unidentified woman was seen hitching a ride on the back of a manatee in the waters off Fort De Soto Park in the Tampa Bay area, which runs afoul of the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act.

Now authorities are looking for the manatee molester.

According to The Tampa Bay Times, the woman was spotted climbing on the back of a manatee on Sunday afternoon around 1 pm. She was clad in a black bikini top, red shorts and a white baseball cap.

Fellow beach goers snapped pictures and informed deputies.

But, by the time authorities arrived on the scene, the woman was nowhere to be seen.

The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act forbids anyone from "intentionally or negligently" trying to "molest, harass, or disturb any manatee." Obviously, this includes lying on top of a sea cow.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Environmental Lands and Marine Enforcement Unit at (727) 582-6200.

The incident comes just weeks after authorities in Sarasota had to warn beachgoers not to interrupt large groups of manatees who had congregated near a beach to mate.

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