Would you pet or hug back?

[Imzadi]

 

[Disneylover99]

I’d be trying to get away. Lol.

 

[ronandannette]

I’ve never looked into conservancy laws regarding species protection. Can somebody short-story me why it’s actually illegal to simply touch them?

 

[Babs Johnson]

Guy sounds like the douchebag who’d approach a baby buffalo at Yellowstone to pet it and get the perfect selfie.

 

[georgina]

I’ve never looked into conservancy laws regarding species protection. Can somebody short-story me why it’s actually illegal to simply touch them?

I think because people don't stop there, and chase and harass them. It has been a problem in Florida where they congregate near warm water springs.

And this idiot in the video thinks he needs to hug them to let them know they are loved?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I think because people don't stop there, and chase and harass them. It has been a problem in Florida where they congregate near warm water springs.

Yes, exactly the reason. They are wild animals, and people give them 'human' traits like hugging and petting? In situations like that, I'm sure it causes great anxiety for the animal. So the laws are to protect the animals, and in some ways, to protect humans from the stupidity of being themselves. It's very simple - look and don't touch wild animals. And in all cases, look from a safe distance.

 

[_19disnA]

It's very simple - look and don't touch wild animals. And in all cases, look from a safe distance.

I agree. Some people don't seem to grasp these are wild animals who don't think/act/behave like people. Who knows what the animal is thinking and likely is more concerned about being threatened by someone (or another wild animal) approaching them. Like the idiots who get near bear cubs and then find out the bear's mom takes it as an act of aggression and attacks that person.

 

[Moliphino]

I think because people don't stop there, and chase and harass them. It has been a problem in Florida where they congregate near warm water springs.

And this idiot in the video thinks he needs to hug them to let them know they are loved?

To be fair, in the video he's talking about that's shown in the beginning the manatee is holding on to a diver's leg. He's not advocating just hugging random manatees, but asking if a manatee was holding on to you would you be able to not touch it back.

 

[robinb]

We swam with manatees a few years ago. You could NOT swim to one or follow one to get closer or harass them in other ways. There were a number of rangers in boats in the area to stop people from harassing the manatees. However, they are very curious animals and we were allowed to touch a manatee that came up to you within arm's distance. I guess the rules may have changed since then.

 

[Imzadi]

To be fair, in the video he's talking about that's shown in the beginning the manatee is holding on to a diver's leg. He's not advocating just hugging random manatees, but asking if a manatee was holding on to you would you be able to not touch it back.

Yes, I was thinking about this being a very specific circumstance, where the manatee came up on it's own and was hugging that diver's leg of it's own accord.

 

[GAN]

We swam with manatees a few years ago. You could NOT swim to one or follow one to get closer or harass them in other ways. There were a number of rangers in boats in the area to stop people from harassing the manatees. However, they are very curious animals and we were allowed to touch a manatee that came up to you within arm's distance. I guess the rules may have changed since then.

It’s been a while(about 30-years ) but I’ve done the same at Blue Spring State Park …you could basically float and if they were curious they would approach. A few times they were very active and it’s a really nice experience. This was back before any big crowds …maybe a half-dozen people in the spring. I’m not shocked people would abuse the privilege