Officials at the South Florida Museum announced yesterday that Snooty the manatee’s death was the result of a preventable accident. In a press release, the museum found that the loose panel in his tank that ultimately led to his demise was discovered a week before he drowned. The officials statement read “Due to breakdowns in record keeping, reporting, communication and follow-through, while some action was taken no action culminated in an effective repair.” The beloved sea cow, a Manatee County institution, had celebrated his 69th birthday just a day before his death.
