Tragic Death of Captive Florida Manatee Linked to Traumatic Sex Injury
New records reveal that the death of Hugh, a beloved 38-year-old manatee at Mote Marine Aquarium in Florida, could have been prevented. The necropsy report shows that Hugh died from a 14.5-centimeter rip in his colon and other traumatic injuries sustained during a sexual encounter with another male manatee at the facility. The United States Department of Agriculture found that the aquarium failed to handle Hugh properly, resulting in his death. Mote Marine is appealing the findings and maintains that they followed professional standards and practices. This incident raises concerns about animal care and follows the preventable death of another beloved manatee, Snooty, in the same region in 2017.