This is intolerable. That boat operator and his staff are reprehensible in their actions. They're actually SHOWING CHILDREN how to harass the STATE AND FEDERALLY PROTECTED manatees.
I want this operator's name burned in my skull, so I can forever remember it to tell every person to not merely avoid, but regard with contempt.
Then I want these videos mailed to people with high-end political connections. I guess State's already covered... here's the feds and an extremely active watchdog group.
1. World Wildlife Fund
1250 Twenty-Fourth Street, N.W.
P.O. Box 97180
Washington, DC 20090-7180
2. Chief, Endangered Species
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Region Four Southeast
1875 Century Blvd., Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30345
Region 4 - Ecological Services
Mark, keep up this outstanding work you are doing. I really want to know just
where the **** the local law enforcement is on the water around there, and how they could let things like this occur.
I emphatically hope that anyone seeing these videos is at least half as repulsed and infuriated as I am. And that such people in the local area spread this around so that tourists can get access to the information. Perhaps the *decent* manatee outfitters would be so kind as to incorporate some of this video footage into their introductory spiels. It won't erase the illegal harassment and public mis-education already done, but it'll sure give pause to future slimebags who abuse their rights to be near these animals.
There is no excuse for this behavior in the United States.
None at all.
