R
Craig Cavanna, senior federal wildlife officer and current investigating officer, told
The Chronicle Online that the harassment of a manatee, protected by the Endangered Species Act, is a Class A federal criminal offense punishable by a $50,000 fine and/or one year in federal prison.
Manatees, who are slow-moving and warm-blooded, tend to seek sanctuary in the spring-fed waters along Citrus County's coastline making them accessible to swimmers and boaters, according to
The Chronicle Online
"It's been my experience that this is very out of character for this community," Cavanna told the outlet of the incident. "Wildlife conservation is a core value in Citrus County. That's why it's called the Nature Coast."