Jesse Mendoza, USA TODAYThu, July 27, 2023 at 7:32 PM CDTThe death of Hugh, a 38-year-old manatee who died in April at Sarasota, Florida's Mote Marine Aquarium and Laboratory could have been prevented, according to new records that detail the beloved animal's death.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, according to necropsy report findings published by the United States Department of Agriculture.In case you missed it: Mote Marine manatee Hugh died at the age of 38 in SarasotaThe inspection report states "The facility failed to handle Hugh expeditiously and as carefully as possible to prevent trauma and physical harm, resulting in the death of the animal."Aquarium noted manatee's 'change in behavior'Mote Marine announced Hugh's death in a press release on April 30, when the aquarium described the incident differently."After Hugh showed a change in his behavior earlier in the day, animal care staff began closely monitoring him. Saturday late afternoon, Hugh suddenly became unresponsive in his habitat at Mote Aquarium's Marine Mammal Center," the aquarium announced in the news release. "Hugh’s Animal Care team responded immediately, and ultimately determined that Hugh had passed away."
Christopher Columbus wept.
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