U.S. federal laws impose fines and criminal penalties for touching or harassing protected wildlife, underscoring legal protections for marine mammals, birds, and endangered species. The Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act define offenses involving manatees, dolphins, porpoises, sea otters, sea turtles, gray wolves, and grizzly bears. Penalties cited include fines from $500 to $100,000 and possible jail time for actions such as approaching whales, disturbing seals and sea lions, or possessing bald eagle feathers. Additional protections cover golden eagles, Florida panthers, alligator snapping turtles, and over 1,000 bird species. The segment also notes federal controls on Burmese pythons and varying state handling rules. Scope is limited to penalties and prohibitions referenced in the video.
