Florida Aquarium Discloses Intense Sexual Encounter as Cause of Manatee's Death
In a tragic incident at the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida, a resident manatee named Hugh died unexpectedly on April 29, 2023. The cause of death was later revealed to be injuries sustained during a sexual encounter with his brother, Buffett. This marked the first time that the aquarium had observed such heightened mating behavior between the two manatees, who had been living together for 27 years. Hugh, resident manatee at Mote, died from sexual injuries, report says (Credit: Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium Hugh's death was initially shrouded in mystery as the aquarium did not release specific details about the circumstances leading up to it. However, it was later clarified that Hugh's behavior had changed after engaging in "natural, yet increased, mating behavior" with Buffett. This behavior is common among male manatees, both in the wild and in managed care, and typically lasts for approximately two months each year. On the day of Hugh...