[imagesource: Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium]

A beloved manatee at Florida’s Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium died earlier this year after having too much “high-intensity” sex with his brother, officials revealed this week.

The manatee, named Hugh, was found unresponsive in late April after staff reported observing an increase in “sexual behaviour” between Hugh and, get this, his older brother Buffett.

Necropsy report findings published by the United States Department of Agriculture revealed that 38-year-old Hugh succumbed to traumatic injuries caused by repeated sexual encounters. The report noted that Hugh’s fatal injury was a 14.5-centimetre rip in his colon.

Source: Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

USA Today reports that the beloved animal’s death could have been prevented, even though handlers maintain that Hugh and Buffett had been engaging in consensual and “natural” mating behaviour for two months leading up to Hugh’s death.

The 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.”

Source: Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

Mote Marine announced Hugh’s death in a press release on April 30 and described how Hugh’s carers were always there, keeping a close eye, but suddenly he became unresponsive.

“Mote’s animal care staff communicated with the medical care team as quickly and as often as possible, including communications with experienced certified veterinary technicians, a senior contract manatee veterinarian, and a staff veterinarian,” said Mote Marine spokesman Kevin Cooper.

Hugh and Buffett were trained to participate in manatee research projects to help Mote Marine staff study their eyesight, hearing, physiology, and body temperature.

RIP, Hugh.

[source:usatoday]