Beloved 38-year-old manatee Hugh dies after 'high intensity sex' with his brother, Buffet, at Florida aquarium
- 38-year-old manatee Hugh died in April at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida
- Now officials have clarified Hugh died after sustaining fatal injuries as a result of having sex with his brother Buffet
A beloved captive manatee has died after 'high intensity sex' with his brother caused severe internal injuries, a necropsy has found.
Hugh, 38, died at the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Saratsota on April 29 after mating with his larger brother, Buffet, caused a 14.5cm rip in his colon.
The aquariam said it observed the pair engaging in 'in natural, yet increased, mating behavior' on the day, and then later found blood in Hugh's colon, before he was found unresponsive at the bottom of the pool.
According to the aquarium such behavior has been 'documented in manatees both in managed care and in the wild.'
Officials said this was the first time such heightened mating behavior was witnessed between the two manatees and it was believed that separating them would cause more harm.
Hugh, 38, (pictured) died on April 29 at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota in Florida
Hugh died after engaging 'in natural, yet increased, mating behavior' with his brother Buffet (both pictured)
Officials at the Mote Marine Laboratory said they decided not to separate the manatees for fear of causing more harm in the process
'Hugh and Buffett were both observed initiating and mutually seeking interactions from each other throughout the day and there were no obvious signs of discomfort or distress such as listing, crunching, or active avoidance that would have triggered a need for intervention' they explained.
'Following the direction of the veterinarians, distraction rather than physical separation was chosen because separation has previously caused undue anxiety and negative effects in both manatees' the statement added.
A necropsy performed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Marine Mammal Pathobiology Lab found the fatal wound was a '14.5 cm long tear in the ventral wall' of his colon.
Jenessa Gjeltema, an assistant professor at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine told NBC News: 'You can have a poor outcome in those kinds of situations either way sometimes... Managing these wild animals under human care, it's not always a straightforward situation.'
Gjeltema said that sex between male manatees, including brothers, is not uncommon.
'They're not too meticulous about who their partners are. They just have this kind of a sexual urge, and then they'll engage in activity with whomever seems to be in the area', she explained.
She added: 'That context of whom is related to whom is less of an important factor in their social engagements and interactions.'
Hugh and Buffet's fans paid tribute to Hugh and the Aquarium in the comments under the announcement.
The aquarium said such behavior has been 'documented in manatees both in managed care and in the wild'
One wrote: 'So sorry about the loss of Hugh!!! Hope Buffet will be ok as a loner for now. Thank you for the amazing work you do and the education you provide to everyone!'
While another commented: 'I am so sorry to hear of his passing. Thank you for taking such good care of your residents!'
A third added: 'My heartfelt condolences to the entire care team. Mote does an amazing job in animal care of it's permanent residents, rehab and release of it's patients, conservation and education of the Sarasota Bay area.'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12348879/Manatee-Florida-aquarium-dies-mating-brother.html
A baby manatee just after birth
A family of manatees
A manatee eating
Thousands of manatees are drawn to warm water discharged by Florida Power & Light
A healthy adult manatee can weigh upwards of 1,200 pounds
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