The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida, faced a tragic loss when Hugh, a 38-year-old manatee, died under distressing circumstances. A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report, based on an autopsy conducted by the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s Marine Mammal Pathobiology Lab, has revealed that Hugh’s death was the result of “high-intensity sexual behavior” with his brother, Buffett, leading to severe internal injuries.
According to the USDA, the aquarium failed to adequately protect Hugh during an aggressive sexual interaction with Buffett. The report details that on the morning of the incident, aquarium staff observed the two manatees engaging in intense sexual behavior, including “rectal penetration.” Later that day, fecal samples collected from Hugh contained fresh blood, signaling internal trauma. The autopsy confirmed that Hugh suffered multiple injuries, with the fatal wound being a five-and-a-half-inch tear in his colon.
The USDA report notes, “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.”
Hugh’s death at 38 was far short of the typical 60-year lifespan of Florida manatees. Born in captivity, Hugh had lived alongside Buffett at the Mote Aquarium for nearly 27 years. While manatees often exhibit heightened sexual aggression for several months each year, the USDA is investigating whether the aquarium complied with the Animal Welfare Act in managing this incident.
In response, the Mote Marine Laboratory issued a statement on Facebook, asserting that “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.” The aquarium emphasized that both manatees were closely monitored, with each appearing to initiate and seek interactions without showing obvious signs of distress, such as listing, crunching, or active avoidance.
Instead of physically separating the manatees, which had previously caused “undue anxiety and negative effects” in both, the aquarium followed veterinary advice to distract them. The Mote Lab defended its care standards, noting that just a week prior to the incident, a USDA inspection praised the facility as a “gold standard” for animal care.
This tragedy is particularly poignant given the precarious state of Florida’s manatee population. In the 1970s, manatees faced a severe risk of extinction, but conservation efforts led to their removal from the endangered species list in 2017. However, this decision has been controversial. From 2017 to 2019, the manatee population reportedly declined by approximately six percent annually due to factors like the loss of seagrass beds, pollution from septic tanks and fertilizer runoff, and coastal development. Efforts to support the population, such as providing lettuce to replace lost seagrass, have been temporary fixes at best.
Hugh’s death, though in captivity, underscores the challenges facing manatee conservation. As investigators continue to examine whether the Mote Marine Laboratory could have prevented this tragedy, the incident serves as a somber reminder of the delicate balance required to protect these gentle giants in both captivity and the wild.