at Fort Desoto Park, a few miles from downtown St. Petersburg.

Following media coverage of her cavorting with the mammal, Garcia Gutierrez called the sheriff's office two days later to turn herself in.

She admitted the offense claiming "she is new to the area and did not realize it was against the law to touch or harass manatees," the office said in a news release.

It was not immediately clear what penalties Garcia Gutierrez would face if convicted.

(Reporting by Tim Gaynor; Editing by Paul Simao)