Snooty, the beloved 69-year-old manatee, died as a result of a "preventable accident." 

Officials with the South Florida Museum in Bradenton, where the sea cow lived 68 of his 69 years, made the announcement during a Thursday morning news conference. The findings came after a lengthy independent, third-party review. 

"Snooty drowned in an underwater area accessible only by an opening in the shelf structure of the manatee pool, which was covered by a panel," Museum Board of Trustees Vice President John Quinlan said. 

Quinlan went on to explain how Snooty made his way through a tube into an underwater plumbing maintenance area after a panel covering the tube came off. Snooty traveled into the underwater area but could not get back to his regular tank. 

The panel fell off sometime during the evening of July 23/24. Snooty was found dead the following morning, a day after a museum celebration for his 69th birthday.

Officials added that a week before the manatee's death, staff members did see loose screws on the panel to the tube where Snooty got stuck and drowned. 

The panel was not fixed.  

Quinlan said the review determined a series of mistakes that led to the death, including:

  • Deficiencies in record keeping. 
  • A breakdown in departmental communication, and 
  • A need for more formalized training of staff. 

The outside review process included the examination of museum records, documents, photos and videos.

"The findings show Snooty died as a result of a preventable accident," Quinlan said. "Several factors contributed to this tragedy and be assured the board and executive staff are addressing them all."