FWC: Man in viral video could be 'harassing' manatees

Wildlife officials investigating man filmed at St. Johns River

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A viral video showing a man throwing an unknown substance in a Florida river has prompted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation to investigate the man on manatee harassment allegations, a spokesman said.

The video, posted on Facebook Friday by a man named Scott McCormick, shows a man hurling a liquid substance from a red bucket into the St. John's River. When the substance hits the river, animals begin splashing in the water.

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The video has been shared nearly 35,000 times and has been flooded with thousands of comments. The video is embedded below.

Comments on the post suggested the disturbed manatees caused the waves, others said it could be fish or another aquatic animal.

FWC spokesman Greg Workman said the agency is investigating the man. Wildlife officials aren't sure what the substance was, but they do believe frenzied manatees caused the ruckus in the water.

Workman also provided a list of tips for peacefully coexisting with sea cows without disturbing them. Those tips include not touching them, keeping noise levels down, not pursuing them and not splashing excessively. See the full list here.