Snooty the Manatee Death Rumors Debunked

Snooty, the loveable manatee mascot of the South Florida Museum, is doing just fine.

That’s the official word from the museum following Internet rumors that the critter had met his end.

“We’ve heard that some rumors are circulating and we’re happy to report that Snooty was doing well this evening when the museum closed,” the museum’s Facebook page states. “Any statements attributed to the museum to the contrary are fictitious. With a nod to Mark Twain, sometimes rumors are simply rumors.”

Snooty has been a mainstay at the 201 10th St. W. museum in Bradenton since 1949. The critter was born in 1948 and was declared Manatee County’s official mascot in 1979, according to the museum. Snooty’s fame even reached national proportions when he was filmed on the “Captain Kangaroo” show back in 1982.

Snooty turned 66 in July.

Fans who want to see for themselves that Snooty is just fine can visit the museum or check out Snooty on a live camera via the museum’s website.

Photo Credit: Patch File Photo of Snooty

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