FWC Investigating Video Of Boater Hitting Manatee With Pole

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating a video that appears to show a man on a boat touching a manatee with a pole.

The man scares it and other nearby manatees. He then high-fives another boater.

It is illegal to feed, harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, kill, annoy or molest manatees.

Anyone who violates federal protections could face up to $100,000 in fines or a year in prison.