Scuba diver Casey Barrick has an ambitious goal: to explore 500 of Florida’s natural springs — crystal-clear oases teeming with wildlife. But during one dive earlier this year, his mission was briefly (and adorably) interrupted.
While exploring a spring in Central Florida, Barrick noticed a small group of manatees gliding peacefully nearby. Knowing it’s illegal to touch, chase, feed, or disturb these gentle giants, he made sure to keep a respectful distance. The manatees, however, had other plans.
“Just before I got out, this playful manatee swam over to me and wrapped its fins around my legs, rubbing its head against me,” Barrick told The Dodo. “There wasn’t much I could do.”
What Barrick did do was enjoy it.
The affectionate encounter lasted several minutes, with the manatee clinging to him in what could only be described as a hug.
Barrick, “trapped” in the sweetest way possible, grabbed his pole-mounted camera and recorded the interaction from another angle.
Eventually, the manatee let go and drifted off, leaving Barrick with an unforgettable memory.
“I’ve never had a wild animal that large hug me,” he said. “It was magical — something I’ll never forget.”
You can follow Casey Barrick’s spring-diving adventures on YouTube.
