Still mourning Snooty, and looking for change at South Florida Museum

I am one of the thousands still mourning Snooty the Manatee. “Ye doth protest too much” may highlight the need for more security at the South Florida Museum. I do believe the door that became detached and plainly visible on the floor of the pool went unnoticed by divers going about their cleaning and safety checks. It is believed this caused an opening that lured Snooty to his death. Should heads roll? Probably not, but answers are due for this gross negligence.

Snooty was the main attraction for more years than most of you have lived. He brought in a lot of money and interest in all the amenities that the museum offers. There should be a 24-hour security guard, mainly for the manatees who rehab there and the many valuable artifacts on display. It is too late for Snooty and all the data and documented history his 69 years brought to us. That is now to be filed as uncompleted due to his untimely death.

Protests can be good, and if it draws attention to the lack of security at South Florida Museum, then that may ensure the safety and well-being of other manatees in rehab. Who knows, there just may be a newborn manatee who comes in for care who can become Snooty Two, and all the information and knowledge gained from Snooty One can begin again. Obtaining another manatee as a living specimen would take new legislation.

Rest in peace, Snooty — we do protest too much at the loss of a living creature who was a big part of our lives, and his death may bring about changes obviously long overdue.

This story was originally published August 16, 2017 at 1:45 PM with the headline "Still mourning Snooty, and looking for change at South Florida Museum."