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A manatee milestone: Snooty turning 60

By Craig Pittman, Times staff writer
In print: Saturday, July 19, 2008


Snooty, the mascot of Manatee County, will soon mark his sixth decade. He will celebrate a little early with a party Saturday at his home at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton.
Snooty, the mascot of Manatee County, will soon mark his sixth decade. He will celebrate a little early with a party Saturday at his home at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton.
[Times (2001)]
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He remembers things he was taught when he was a year old. He eats healthy food and gets lots of exercise. No wonder Snooty has lived longer than any other captive manatee in the world. On Monday, the mascot of Manatee County turns 60, showing the resilience of one of Florida's natural icons. He was born aboard one boat — the Prins Valdemar, which had been converted into the Miami Aquarium — after another one had injured his mother. Alice Walters Wallace, now 85, the daughter of the owner of the Prins Valdemar, remembers rubbing ointment on the mother manatee's propeller wounds and swimming with the affectionate calf. Snooty's keeper trained him to do simple tricks that he still performs. Today, Snooty gets a party at the South Florida Museum — no cake, just strawberries and pineapples. A fellow his age has to watch what he eats.

July 21, 1948

Snooty born at the Miami Aquarium to Lady, an injured manatee. Operator Sam Stout trains both Lady and her calf to do tricks. Harry Truman in the White House.

April 1, 1949

In trouble for having two manatees instead of the one on his permit, Stout donates Snooty to Manatee County. Calf housed in a 3,000-gallon tank at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton.

1950

Miami Aquarium closed. Lady disappears into Biscayne Bay. Pioneering manatee biologist Joe Moore visits Snooty in Bradenton, cites performance of tricks to show how intelligent manatees are.

1965

First American combat troops land in Vietnam. Construction begins on a new South Florida Museum, including 7,000-gallon tank for Snooty.

1967-68

First in-depth study of manatees conducted by Daniel "Woodie" Hartman and James ""Buddy'' Powell in Crystal River. Powell's parents took him to visit Snooty when he was 8.

1972

ABC airs Jacques Yves-Cousteau's Forgotten Mermaids documentary, made with Hartman's help, creating international interest in Florida manatees.

1973

President Nixon signs the Endangered Species Act. Manatees on original endangered list.

1978

Snooty turns 30. Legislature declares entire state a manatee sanctuary.

1981

Jimmy Buffett meets Gov. Bob Graham and they create Save the Manatee Club, set up in part by Patrick Rose, who visited Snooty on college break in the late '60s.

1991

Save the Manatee Club petitions to move Snooty to Homosassa Springs State Park to breed with females. Manatee County officials successfully oppose loss of mascot.

1993

Museum moves Snooty into 60,000-gallon pool.

1998

Snooty gets company at last: Newton, a male orphan from Miami. A month after Snooty turns 50, Newton dies of bacterial infection.

2000

Save the Manatee Club sues government over manatee deaths caused by boats. Suit leads to new regulations, sparking a move to declare manatees no longer on endangered list.

2007

Gov. Charlie Crist meets Buffett in Tampa, hears personal appeal to stop downlisting of manatees. Crist announces opposition, halting the move.

July 21, 2008

Snooty turns 60.



[Last modified: Jul 22, 2008 03:03 PM]



Comments on this article
by Julia Tallant Jul 22, 2008 3:03 PM
My grandfather is Montague Tallant from the Tallant gallery in the South Florida Museum for his Indian Relics. I have made the trip to see Snooty as far back as I can remember. My oldest sister was born the same year as Snooty. He is so swee
by SAF Jul 21, 2008 4:10 PM
I still remember a class trip to see Snooty in the early 1980s. Happy Bday!
by Betty Jul 21, 2008 11:15 AM
Good article Craig! It's great to know that protection of the Manatees is gathering recognition through newsmen like you!
by Mike Jul 20, 2008 8:48 PM
Snooty was the first manatee I ever saw,back in 1960 something.Happy Birthday!!!
by Peter Jul 20, 2008 8:48 PM
And the staff celebrated Snooty's B-Day at the all you can eat BBQ trough!!
by Barbara Jul 20, 2008 8:02 AM
Fla. expat living in Idaho. Miss you Snooty!
by John Jul 20, 2008 7:59 AM
We love you Snooty!
by Impressed Jul 20, 2008 7:58 AM
Good one Craig! Very well done article.
by Paul Jul 19, 2008 10:08 AM
Happy Birthday,Snooty! Are Manatee burgers heart healthy? I know Spotted Owl is not.
by Carol Jul 19, 2008 10:08 AM
We need more signs on the intracoastal waterway - we are in a no-wake zone, and so many boats do not adhere. Is there no safe place for these beautiful creatures? Maybe with the price of gas there won't be as many boaters causing a threat to them.
by Snooty lover Jul 19, 2008 8:14 AM
Snooty is a living doll. These beautiful creatures deserve our protection! Snooty must be strong to have survived the zoo atmosphere of the early/mid 20th cent-much better now. Happy Birthday Snooty!
by JFR Jul 19, 2008 8:14 AM
I remember visiting Snooty throughout my childhood. Happy Birthday Baby Snoots!
by Jo Jul 19, 2008 8:14 AM
Happy Birthday,dear Snooty! May you live and prosper another 60 years ! SAVE THE MANATEES !!!!
by tash Jul 19, 2008 8:14 AM
what is "downlisting of manatees"?
by Bill Jul 19, 2008 8:14 AM
Wonderful article. I hope this moves at least some boaters to exercise caution when in manatee waters.
by JC Jul 19, 2008 8:14 AM
Congrats Snooty.....hopefully you have many more.
by LT Jul 19, 2008 8:14 AM
I love Snoots. Happy birthday, dude!
by Jeff Jul 19, 2008 8:13 AM
How can you not love a face like that?
by Elizabeth Jul 19, 2008 8:13 AM
Happy Birthday Snooty! My husband never tires of reminding me of the day you swam the length of your old pool and planted a big whiskery kiss on my face. I think he's still jealous. Hugs!
by Stuartwriter Jul 19, 2008 8:13 AM
Excellent article, especially covering such details in the life and times of 'Snooty'. Happy Birthday Snooty and many more in the future.
by Animal lover Jul 18, 2008 4:46 PM
God Bless Snooty!!! He is one lucky manatee. Obey your NO Wake zones and we will have more wild manatees living to sixty!!!!
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