Three Florida men who made a manatee “cannonballing” YouTube video more than a year ago may soon face federal charges.

The three unnamed suspects produced a video that shows one of them jumping into a canal in Cocoa Beach, Florida, “cannonballing” over a manatee and her calf, possibly hitting them upon contact with the water.

What charges could they potentially face?

You can see the video here:

Because manatees are protected by both state and federal laws, the three men could potentially face state and federal charges.

For example, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, it is illegal to harm an endangered animal or an endangered animal’s habitat, even if it’s on private property. The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 contains similar prohibitions.

In addition, the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act makes it illegal for anyone to “intentionally or negligently annoy, molest, harass, or disturb” a manatee. Even attempting to “molest, harass or disturb” a manatee can land you in hot water.

While it is unknown at this point what the men were intending to pull off from this act – whether it was in jest or actual malice – they could face fines of up to $50,000 and be jailed for a year if they’re charged and convicted, according to the Sentinel.

The manatee “cannonballing” video seems to show the men’s actions were intentional; one local manatee activist even called it a “calculated plot.” While that could suggest a potential criminal conspiracy – an agreement between two or more people to commit a crime – it’s up to prosecutors to figure out what charges are most appropriate for the manatee prank.

Related Resources:

  • Cocoa Beach Men May Face Charges After ‘Cannonballing’ Manatees (Orlando’s WKMG-TV)
  • Woman Busted for Riding a Manatee (Sea Cow) in Florida (FindLaw’s Legally Weird)
  • TX Woman Shoots Husband to Protect Beloved Cat (FindLaw’s Legally Weird)
  • ‘Mystery Monkey’ Caught After 4 Years of Freedom in Florida (FindLaw’s Legally Weird)

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