Manatee Caught on Camera Drinking from Police Boat in Bradenton

Officers emphasize the dangers of providing freshwater to manatees, which can lead to harmful interactions.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:53pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a manatee's snout emerging from the water, surrounded by soft, warm pools of light and color, conceptually representing the charming yet potentially dangerous encounter between the marine animal and the police vessel.A curious manatee's unexpected visit to a police boat highlights the need to protect these gentle creatures from harmful interactions with humans.Bradenton Today

A curious manatee was caught on camera approaching a Bradenton Police Department marine unit vessel to drink from the freshwater runoff as the officers were rinsing down their boat. While the interaction was charming, the officers emphasized that providing fresh water to manatees is harmful, as it trains them to approach boats and puts them at risk of strikes.

Why it matters

Manatees are a protected species in Florida, and interactions between the animals and humans can be dangerous if manatees become accustomed to approaching boats and people for freshwater. The Bradenton Police Department wants to educate the public about the risks of feeding or providing water to manatees.

The details

The incident occurred as Bradenton Marine Unit Officers Emrich and Eades were finishing their patrol and rinsing down their vessel. A curious manatee approached the dock to drink the freshwater runoff. While the officers found the interaction charming, they emphasized that providing fresh water to manatees is harmful, as it trains them to approach boats and puts them at risk of strikes from boat propellers.

  • The incident occurred as Bradenton Marine Unit Officers Emrich and Eades were finishing their patrol on April 13, 2026.

The players

Bradenton Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in Bradenton, Florida, which oversees the marine unit that encountered the manatee.

Officer Emrich

A Bradenton Marine Unit officer who was present during the manatee encounter.

Officer Eades

A Bradenton Marine Unit officer who was present during the manatee encounter.

The manatee

A curious manatee that approached the Bradenton Police Department's marine unit vessel to drink from the freshwater runoff.

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What they’re saying

“Because even when they're breaking the rules, manatees still get the right of way.”

— Bradenton Police Department

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of educating the public about the risks of interacting with manatees, even in seemingly harmless situations. By avoiding providing freshwater to manatees, the Bradenton Police Department aims to prevent the animals from becoming habituated to approaching boats and people, which can ultimately put them in danger.