Ana Guiterrez, Fla. woman photographed riding a manatee, turns herself in to authorities, police say

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Authorities received reports of a woman apparently joyriding a manatee at a Florida park

/ WKMG

(CBS) ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A woman turned herself in to authorities Tuesday after she was captured in a photograph taking an apparent joyride on a manatee at a Florida park, CBS affiliate WKMG reports.

PICTURES: Fla. woman photographed riding manatee

Officials said 52-year-old Ana Gutierrez contacted the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and admitted to riding the manatee at Fort De Soto Park.

Deputies were called to the park Sunday afternoon when they received reports of a woman apparently riding a manatee, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Authorities weren't able to find the woman when they arrived at the area, but witnesses described to them what happened and took pictures of the incident.

The manatee is classified as an endangered species in Florida. The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to intentionally "molest, harass, or disturb" any manatee, according to the Sentinel.

Gutierrez told deputies she's new to the area and didn't realize it was against the law to touch or harass manatees. The state attorney's office will determine if Gutierrez will face charges in the incident.

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Fla. woman arrested for riding manatee

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by CommanderUSN October 4, 2012 8:56 AM EDT

I thought it was only against the law in Florida to have sex with an animal under 40 lbs.

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by gabe97 October 4, 2012 2:46 PM EDT: yes commander that is why your kids have 8 fingers and 3 eyes...finally everything makes sense huh?


by kbbpll October 3, 2012 11:15 PM EDT: "Fla. woman arrested for riding manatee" - she was not arrested. CBS might as well just start making up random headlines.; Reply to this comment


by rubberrezi October 3, 2012 9:51 PM EDT: Which one is the manatee?; Reply to this comment


by Devlyn13 October 3, 2012 9:24 PM EDT: hey maybe it was consenual between her and the manatee and the manatee wanted to give her a ride nothing wrong with that; Reply to this comment


by chef_tim_w October 3, 2012 7:39 PM EDT: She thought it would be okay 'cause her old man rides a whale every night....; Reply to this comment


by Richard1233 October 3, 2012 7:12 PM EDT: Well, last time I was there I rode a manatee. In fact the manatee came up to play with me. If the manatee does not want to be played with, it will not come to you. What moron has decided for the manatee that it is being molested?; Reply to this comment


by gabe97 October 3, 2012 6:47 PM EDT: so which one is the manatee? lol; Reply to this comment


by formerlyluvnut October 3, 2012 6:38 PM EDT: by formerlyluvnut October 3, 2012 4:44 PM EDT
No pics of the woman?
Reply to this comment ..by erasmus111 October 3, 2012 5:46 PM EDT
Are you blind?
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Right over your'e head 'rasmus, go back to bed already.; Reply to this comment

by rwsmith29456 October 3, 2012 6:05 PM EDT

She knows not to do it now and I'm sure a lot of other people will get the word. Don't make a federal case out of this 'heinous act'.

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by erasmus111 October 3, 2012 6:17 PM EDT: "I'm sure a lot of other people will get the word."

I doubt it. She won't be the only stupid person out there.

How many times have we heard about children and dogs dying from being left in a hot car? And yet it still keeps happening every year. People don't learn from their own mistakes, never mind another person's mistake.