Snooty, the oldest known living manatee, dies in ‘heartbreaking accident’

Author: WTSP
Published: Updated:
Snooty the manatee (Photo via WTSP)

TAMPA (WTSP) Just one day after a celebration for its 69th birthday, Bradenton’s most famous manatee has died.

The South Florida Museum posted to their Facebook page Sunday that Snooty’s death was a ‘heartbreaking accident’ and that it’s being investigated now.

“Our initial investigation indicates that Snooty’s death was a heartbreaking accident and we’re all quite devastated about his passing,” said Brynne Anne Besio, the Museum’s CEO. “We’re reviewing what happened and will be conducting a full investigation into the circumstances.”

WTSP streamed a press conference live on their Facebook page:

Snooty was found Sunday in an underwater area only used to access plumbing for the exhibit life support system. The door is normally bolted shut, but somehow was knocked loose and Snooty was able to swim in. According to museum officials, Snooty’s habitat goes through daily inspections and nothing out of the ordinary was noticed on Saturday.

Snooty had been the oldest known living manatee in captivity. The museum says the other rehab manatees – Randall, Gale and Baca – are all fine.

Snooty was born in Miami in 1948. His birth was one of the first recorded of a manatee, making him the oldest one in captivity, and likely in the world.

The aquarium will remain closed during the investigation and while the staff grieves. A necropsy will be performed at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Marine Mammal Pathology lab in St. Petersburg.

Rest in peace, Snooty.

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