The world’s oldest known manatee has died in what museum officials say was a “tragic accident” after just having celebrated her 69th birthday, the South Florida Museum museum announced on Sunday.
Snooty, who lived in captivity, was discovered in an underwater area meant for plumbing. A hatch in the area which is usually bolted shut was somehow knocked open. Museum officials say they don’t know how the hatched was opened.
“Our initial investigation indicates that Snooty’s death was a heartbreaking accident and we’re all quite devastated about his passing,” Museum CEO Brynne Anne Besio said in a statement.
“We’re reviewing what happened and will be conducting a full investigation into the circumstances.”
The manatee’s habitat undergoes a daily visual inspection and nothing was amiss during the previous day’s check-up, according to a statement from the museum. The three manatees who share the habitat with Snooty—Randall, Baca, and Gale—are all unharmed.
