The World’s Oldest Manatee Is Dead After A Tragic Accident At The South Florida Museum

While we do our best here at Only In Florida to deliver news that will bring a smile to your face, it is with extremely heavy hearts that we share the passing of the greatly loved Snooty, a resident of the South Florida Museum in Bradenton. Here's what we know so far about this unbelievably heartbreaking loss.

The South Florida Museum has announced that Snooty the World's Oldest Manatee is no longer with us. He celebrated his 69th birthday just a few days ago on July 21st.

Snooty was sharing his life with three other manatees Baca, Gale and Randall in Bradenton. The South Florida Museum has shared that the remaining manatees are all currently in good health. While the circumstances surrounding Snooty's death are still being investigated, from what we know so far it was a terribly tragic accident that lead to his death.

The manatee habitat in inspected every day, and the day prior to Snooty's death showed that all was well in his longtime home. The South Florida Museum has shared that Snooty was discovered in an underwater area that's used to access plumbing for the exhibit life support system. The Aquarium will remain closed while they continue to investigate the cause of what lead to Snooty's death, but so far it would appear that a panel that is normally bolted shut became dislodged - giving Snooty the ability to swim inside it.

Born in 1948, Snooty was the star of the South Florida Museum and was loved by million of visitors throughout his lifetime.

Snooty was born at the Miami Aquarium and Tackle Company, the first recorded birth of a manatee in human care. Roughly a year later he would come to the South Florida Museum to live out the rest of his life, known to many as Baby Snoots or Snoots. A part of so many of our Florida residents childhoods, generations of families have been able to share loving memories with Snooty. Making his way into our hearts and even the Guinness Book of World Records, in 1979 Snooty became the official mascot for Florida's Manatee County.

To reminisce over why Snooty was one of the greatest creatures Florida has ever known, watch this wonderful video put together by Guinness World Records from just last year.

If you have your own memories or photos of our dear Snooty, we encourage you to share them with us in our comments section in celebration of his life.