In another wild story coming out of Florida, Taylor Martin, infamously known as “the Manatee Slayer,” and his sidekick Seth Stevenson, dubbed “the Waterboy,” found themselves on the wrong side of the law due to their misguided interaction with Florida’s gentle giants, the manatees.
It all began on a seemingly ordinary day when Taylor and Seth decided to engage with wildlife in a way that would soon make headlines. Using a water hose, a common but ill-advised method to attract manatees, they lured a mother manatee and her calf to their dock. Manatees, known for their friendly and curious nature, are often drawn to fresh water sources, much like moths to a flame. They enjoy drinking from and being showered by fresh water, a fact that many Floridians are aware of.
However, what followed was far from the usual playful interaction. Instead of offering the manatees a gentle shower or some lettuce, as is common among enthusiasts, Taylor decided to perform a cannonball dive onto the unsuspecting creatures. This act, captured on video, showed Taylor leaping onto the manatees while Seth and others laughed and cheered, not realizing the potential harm they could be causing to these protected animals.
Manatees, despite their large size and dense bones which help them float beneath the surface, are vulnerable to such human interactions. Beyond the immediate physical threat, many manatees already bear scars from boat propellers and fishing gear, making any additional stress or injury particularly harmful.
The video, initially shared online for amusement, quickly turned into evidence as it caught the attention of wildlife authorities and the public. Under both Florida state law and federal regulations, even touching a manatee can lead to arrests, let alone the stunt Taylor pulled. This incident wasn’t isolated; around the same time, other cases of manatee harassment made national headlines, putting a spotlight on Taylor and Seth’s video.
The legal repercussions were swift. Taylor Martin faced a fine of $3,000 for his cannonball act, while Seth Stevenson, for his part in luring the manatee, was fined $2,000. Both were sentenced to two years of probation and 175 hours of community service. Their story became a cautionary tale, highlighting the legal and ethical boundaries of interacting with wildlife.
For those intrigued by this blend of human folly and wildlife conservation, watch this video where the full scope of Taylor and Seth’s misadventure unfolds:
