FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) - A central Florida man has been charged after authorities say he posted pictures of himself playing with a manatee calf.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission claims that 21-year-old Ryan William Waterman violated the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act. The law makes it illegal to injure, harm, harass, capture or attempt to capture a Florida manatee.

FWC investigators received a tip regarding pictures that Waterman had posted on Facebook. The pictures show Waterman and two young children petting a manatee calf last month in St. Lucie County. They also show Waterman lifting the calf partially out of the water. One image even shows a child sitting on top of the manatee.

Waterman was arrested Sunday and later released on $2,500. Jail records didn't list an attorney.

You may also like...

Prostitute Roundup: 78 arrested in online sex sting

Sex blog: Tampa area school CFO busted over her dirty sex porn blog *warning, GRAPHIC*  

Sorry: Woman apologizes for flipping off judge

Nasty Nasty Dining: 10 of the nastiest restaurants in Tampa Bay in 2012

Cover Girl: Kate Upton back on the cover of Sports Illustrated

Cop of Love: Sheriff puts up Valentine's Day billboard

Faces of Meth: Before and After pictures

Take us with you: Download the 10 News app for your iPad

No sign of any ninja turtles: Alligator pulled from storm drain

Yowtch! Teen accidentally shoots off his penis, testicle

Shock Jock: DJ suspended for mocking woman with Down Syndrome

Bikini Photos: 2012 Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant

Not racist? Restaurant says 'How to catch an illegal immigrant' t-shirt is not racist 

Money Mondays: How you can search for unclaimed cash

Sex Offender Mugshots: Look up Florida Sex Offenders here

Bikinis, mud, trucks: The Redneck Yacht Club

Photos: Ex-Charlie Sheen Goddess Bree Olson

Naughty Schoolgirls: Naughty schoolgirl night at Tampa club pictures

Outrageous mug shot galleries...

Strange: Some of the most unusual mug shots we've seen

Notorious Women: Bad girls behind bars

Teachers: Teacher arrest mugshots

Celebrities: The rich and famous have their own booking photos

Jaw droppers: Open mouth mug shots

Laughers: What's so funny mug shots

Prostitutes: Prostitute mug shots

Athletes: Professional athlete mug shots 

Porn arrests: Child porn arrest mug shots 

Local Mugs: Hillsborough County Mug shots

More unusual mug shots and galleries: 10 News slideshows and galleries

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)