A manatee died at a Florida aquarium in late April, and following a full pathology and necropsy report, there are new developments as to the possible cause of the mammal's sudden death.
According to the
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida, the resident manatee, Hugh, died unexpectedly on April 29th after showing changes in his behavior until he suddenly became unresponsive in his habitat.
According to a statement following his passing, the aquarium said the manatee and his brother Buffett, were the world's only manatees to participate in voluntary, detailed behavioral research designed to aid manatee conservation.
But after a necropsy, or animal autopsy, and a full pathology performed by FWC's Fish and Wildlife research Institute's Marine Mammal Pathobiology Lab, it was determined that 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, Buffett.
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