Beloved Florida manatee’s death at aquarium came after traumatic sex injury, records show

The death of Hugh, a 38-year-old manatee who died in April at Sarasota, Florida’s Mote Marine Aquarium and Laboratory could have been prevented, according to new records that detail the beloved animal’s death.

Hugh died from a 14.5-centimeter rip in his colon and other traumatic injuries caused by a sexual encounter with another, larger, male manatee at the facility, according to necropsy report findings published by the United States Department of Agriculture.

In case you missed it:Mote Marine manatee Hugh died at the age of 38 in Sarasota

The inspection report states “The facility failed to handle Hugh expeditiously and as carefully as possible to prevent trauma and physical harm, resulting in the death of the animal.”

Aquarium noted manatee’s ‘change in behavior’

Mote Marine announced Hugh’s death in a press release on April 30, when the aquarium described the incident differently.

“After Hugh showed a change in his behavior earlier in the day, animal care staff began closely monitoring him. Saturday late afternoon, Hugh suddenly became unresponsive in his habitat at Mote Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Center,” the aquarium announced in the news release. “Hugh’s Animal Care team responded immediately, and ultimately determined that Hugh had passed away.”

On Monday, Mote Marine spokesman Kevin Cooper said staff members who worked with Hugh continue to mourn his death, adding that the aquarium is committed to the USDA’s gold standards for animal care. Mote is appealing the USDA findings.

“Our Mote Marine Laboratory family continues to mourn the passing of our beloved manatee Hugh,” Cooper said.  “Throughout the events leading up to his passing, Mote acted within the professional standards and practices that we have observed throughout Hugh’s 27 years with us, and as recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership.”