Categories: Merritt Island

Man Cannonballs On Florida Manatee: VIDEO

COCOA BEACH, Florida — A man was videotaped jumping from a dock onto two manatees in a canal behind a home in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

The manatees appear to be an adult and a calf in the video which was taken around a year ago. Another man is heard laughing in the background after the stunt was performed.

There have been recent reported instances of people harassing Florida Manatees. A Fort Pierce, Florida man was arrested for allegedly harassing or disturbing a manatee calf in Taylor Creek in St. Lucie County back in in January after photos of him hugging the sea cow were posted on Facebook.

Last September, a woman was photographed riding manatee at Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, Florida. The woman contacted the Pinellas County Sheriff’s department after the photos were made the news, but was not immediately arrested because authorities said it was an arrestable offense since the manatee harassment did not occur in a deputy’s presence. She was later arrested and charged in November 2012.

Florida State Statute 379.2431(2)d (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.” A violation of this statute is a 2nd degree misdemeanor.