Hugh the manatee.Photo:Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida, is sharing more details on Hugh the manatee’s sudden death on April 29.
“Facility representatives, employees observed high-intensity sexual behavior between two adult male manatees,” the report stated.
“The sexual behavior continued throughout the day with periods of rest between high-intensity interactions and occasional penetration. At approximately 5:15 pm, the larger male was observed penetrating the smaller male again. When the larger male swam away, the smaller male was seen unresponsive at the bottom of the pool,” the USDA added in its inspection report.
According to theSarasota Herald-Tribune,USDA officials also claimed in the report that the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium failed to “handle Hugh expeditiously and as carefully as possible to prevent trauma and physical harm, resulting in the death of the animal.”
“Given the recent media coverage of the events surrounding the passing of our beloved and recently deceased resident manatee, Hugh, it is important that we share an overview of the facts to ensure complete clarity on the cause of Hugh’s death,” the Florida aquarium started the post.
“On the day of Hugh’s passing, Hugh and Buffett engaged in natural, yet increased, mating behavior observed and documented in manatees both in managed care and in the wild. This was the first time such heightened mating behavior was witnessed between the two manatees. However, each year, like other male manatees in both the wild and in managed care, Hugh and Buffett would exhibit approximately two months of seasonal behavioral changes including, but not limited to, an increase in sexual behavior,” the facility added, noting that the “manatees were under heightened observation throughout the day” and that Hugh and Buffett were “observed initiating and mutually seeking interactions from each other throughout the day.”
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Before his death, Hugh had been famous for correctlypredicting Super Bowl winnersseveral years in a row along with his brother Buffett.
source: people.com
