A Florida manatee named Hugh reportedly died due to excessive "high-intensity" sexual encounters with his brother, Buffett.
Officials at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium shared this week that Hugh's death in April was caused by traumatic injuries sustained during these encounters.
A USDA report uncovered by ABC 7 explained the fatal wounds, including a 14.5-centimeter tear in Hugh’s colon. In addition, fecal samples showed evidence of fresh blood after the encounter. Despite this, aquarium employees allowed the brothers to continue engaging in "high-intensity interactions and occasional penetration" throughout the day.
The USDA report further disclosed, "At approximately 5:15PM, 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. It was confirmed that he had passed."
The handlers maintained that the behavior between Hugh and Buffett, who had been displaying this consensual and "natural" mating behavior for two months prior to Hugh’s death, was normal. The aquarium stated that this was the first time the brothers – the only two manatees at the facility – had been "observed initiating and mutually seeking interactions from each other."
Mote's statement on Tuesday clarified, "There were no obvious signs of discomfort or distress such as listing, crunching, or active avoidance that would have triggered a need for intervention."
The animal keepers, fearing it would cause "undue anxiety and negative effects in both manatees," allowed them to continue without attempts to separate the pair. On April 29, despite noticing a significant "change in [Hugh’s] behavior" and collecting the bloody stool sample, the experts refrained from interfering with Buffett's persistent advances.
Mote maintains that its team diligently followed protocol and veterinarian advice throughout this period. "And that is what we will continue to strive for — serving as a gold standard for animal health and wellbeing, as we have shown throughout our history," the aquarium said, expressing its grief over the tragic incident.
Having resided at the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota since 1996, Hugh and Buffett were the only two manatees worldwide to partake in detailed behavioral research aimed at aiding manatee conservation, according to the institution.