World's Oldest Manatee Turning 68, Cards Welcome

BRADENTON, FL — Manatee County’s famed Snooty turns 68 this year, and that’s a huge reason to celebrate, according to the folks at the South Florida Museum.

To get ready for the big birthday bash in July, the museum has officially kicked off its “Snooty’s Annual Birthday Card Contest.” Open now through July 8, the contest for kids in preschool through grade six is staged each year to celebrate the celebrity manatee’s birthday.

In 2015, Guinness World Records certified Snooty as the “world’s oldest known manatee.” The Bradenton celeb has been under the care of the South Florida Museum since he arrived in Manatee County way back in 1949. In 1979, the popular critter was named Manatee County’s official mascot.

“Today, he is well known all over the world and each year receives birthday wishes from countries near and far,” museum officials said. “Not only is Snooty a wildlife ambassador who introduces thousands of South Florida Museum visitors to manatees and their unique life histories each year, he also serves as a mentor to sick and injured manatees.”

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In addition to being Snooty’s home, the South Florida Museum and its Parker Manatee Aquarium are part of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership. The group, originally created by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is made up of organizations that rescue and rehabilitate manatees. The Bradenton museum has been responsible for rehabilitating and releasing 28 manatees. Numbers 29 and 30 – Sarasola and Icecube – are currently under care.

Snooty was born at the old Miami Aquarium on July 21, 1948. This year, the museum plans to celebrate his birthday with a bash on July 23. In addition to world-record fame, Snooty was featured on the “Captain Kangaroo” television show in 1982 in a documentary on manatees.

“Snooty is a one-of-a-kind animal," Brynne Anne Besio, the museum's CEO, told Patch. "Not only does he make history every day as the Guinness certified oldest-known manatee in the world, but he also provides valuable insight into the health and life cycle of all manatees.”

As for the big birthday bash in July, Besio continued, "Snooty holds a special place in the hearts of people from around the world. We hear from locals who grew up celebrating Snooty’s birthday each year and are so pleased that they can now share the Birthday Bash with their own children. We also receive birthday cards and greetings from people around the world, from San Diego to Scotland to South America. This day is celebrated far and wide and it’s an honor for South Florida Museum to share it with the world.”

Birthday cards for Snooty will be accepted until 5 p.m. July 8. Entry forms and more information about the contest is available on the South Florida Museum’s website. Winners of first, second and third-place prizes in several age groups will be announced right after visitors at Snooty’s Birthday Bay & Wildlife Festival on July 23 sing happy birthday to the critter. The contest is open to kids from around the state, country and world, museum officials said.

Volunteers are also needed to help celebrate Snooty’s birthday. Shifts run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids under 14 can volunteers, but they must be with an adult chaperone, the museum says. To register to volunteer, visit the museum online.

The South Florida Museum is located at 201 10th St. W. in Bradenton. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from noon until 5 p.m. on Sundays. The organization also accepts donations to help with its educational and rehabilitation efforts.

Visitors who want to see Snooty before his big day will find there are daily feeding presentations at the aquarium. They take place throughout the day, each day the museum and aquarium are open to the public.

Photo of Snooty courtesy of the South Florida Museum