Florida Man Arrested for Attempting to Ride Manatee, Claims He Was 'Just Horsing Around'

In a state where the bizarre is commonplace, a local man took things to a new level by attempting to ride a manatee in the Crystal River. Authorities reported that 32-year-old Chad "The Manatee Whisperer" Johnson was spotted trying to mount the gentle sea cow, shouting, "Yeehaw! Giddy up, big fella!" Bystanders captured the incident on their smartphones, and the footage quickly went viral, adding to Florida's ever-growing list of peculiar news stories.

When questioned by law enforcement, Johnson defended his actions by stating, "I thought it was a floating couch, and I was tired from all the Budweisers." Unamused, officers reminded him that manatees are a protected species and that his actions were both illegal and potentially harmful to the animal. Johnson was charged with harassing a manatee, a second-degree misdemeanor in Florida, and released on bail shortly after.

Local marine biologist Dr. Susan Waters commented, "This is a classic case of 'Florida Man' behavior. While manatees are known for their docile nature, they are not aquatic Uber drivers." The manatee involved was examined and found to be unharmed, though it reportedly declined to comment on the incident.