Florida man rides manatee, dares police to arrest him, gets arrested

Manatees, a protected species.
(Image credit: GUILLAUME SOUVANT/AFP/Getty Images)

It is illegal to harass manatees, but that didn't stop James Roy Massengale Jr., 47, from jumping in an Islamorada, Florida, creek in an attempt to make some aquatic friends. When some passing witnesses saw the scene, they informed Massengale it is illegal to harass manatees; Massengale, The Independent reports, clarified his intentions: "I'm riding it!"

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.