Woman Riding Manatee, Garcia Gutierrez, Turns Herself In For Illegal Act

Ana Gloria Garcia Gutierrez turned herself into authorities on Tuesday after the woman was caught in photos riding a manatee, a classified endangered species in Florida.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Gutierrez voluntarily surrendered to authorities at the Pinellas County Sheriff's office. Gutierrez told authorities when she was questioned at her home that she was the woman in the photos and did not know riding manatees was against the law since she is new to the area.

Gutierrez faces prosecution charges for riding the manatee from the State Attorney’s Office. She was not arrested.

The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act classifies the "molest, harass, or disturb" of manatees a second-degree misdemeanor.

Gutierrez reportedly was at Fort DeSoto Park on Sunday when she reportedly rode the manatee. Witnesses snapped the photos of the woman mounting and riding a swimming manatee.

The Sherrif’s Office said the manatee was “not thought to have been injured.”