Editor’s Note:
Snooty the Manatee, for decades and for generations a unique and much-loved celebrity in Manatee County, and thought to the be the world’s oldest manatee in captivity, has died. Widespread reports are calling the death a “heartbreaking accident,” involving an underwater access plate that is normally bolted shut. An investigation into his death is ongoing. Snooty arrived in Manatee County in 1949. He is reported to have passed away on Sunday.
In a county-wide event, Snooty celebrated his 69th birthday on Friday and Saturday. This is the report filed from the event:
Hundreds of people showed up at the South Florida Museum in downtown Bradenton on Saturday to sing Happy Birthday to Snooty the manatee on his 69th birthday.
Snooty was born July 21, 1948, in a Miami aquarium and moved to Manatee County when he was less than a year old. He has become an ambassador for wildlife conservation.
The community started celebrating Snooty’s birthday when he turned 20 in 1968, and it has been an annual event ever since.
The celebrations, now called the Snooty Birthday Bash and Wildlife Festival, promotes environmental awareness with more than 25 organizations and government agencies making wildlife education fun and exciting with games and activities.
Other groups, such as the Bradenton Marauders, the hometown Pittsburgh Pirates High A Minor League team, also were there to help the community celebrate Snooty’s big day.
This report will be updated as events warrant.
The following is a press release from the South Florida Museum:
Highlights of Snooty’s Life:
He brought joy to many lives and contributed to what the world currently knows and thinks about manatees.
Our initial investigation indicates that Snooty’s death was a heartbreaking accident. He was found in an underwater area only used to access plumbing for the exhibit life support system. Early indications are that an access panel door that is kept bolted shut was dislodged and that Snooty was able to swim in, but there was insufficient space for him to turn around. We’re reviewing what happened and will be continuing to look into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Snooty’s habitat undergoes a daily visual inspection and there were no indications the previous day that anything was amiss. The other three manatees undergoing rehabilitation in Snooty’s habitat — Randall, Baca and Gale — are all fine.
Snooty was born on July 21, 1948, at the Miami Aquarium and Tackle Company — the first recorded birth of a manatee in human care. He moved to Bradenton in 1949. “Baby Snoots,” as he was then known, was brought to Bradenton as part of the 1949 Desoto Celebration and later that year he moved permanently to the South Florida Museum’s care. In 1979, he became Manatee County’s official mascot.
During his lifetime, he greeted up to two million visitors at the Museum and on the Snooty Cam and we are honored to have had him with us for so long. We will continue his legacy through our manatee rehabilitation program.
I know you share in my profound sadness over Snooty’s passing. We will soon share information about plans for a special memorial to honor his legacy and hope that you will share your thoughts and memories of Snooty on our Facebook page.
Sincerely yours,
Brynne Anne Besio
CEO South Florida Museum