Mote Marine introduces new companion to long-term resident manatee Buffett

The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium has introduced a new male manatee to Buffett, the aquarium's well-known resident manatee involved in a 2023 sexual encounter that resulted in the death of his half-brother Hugh .

Buffett was born at the Miami Seaquarium and has lived in captivity his entire life. He has lived in captivity alone since his former companion, his smaller and older brother Hugh, died of injuries sustained during a sexual encounter with Buffett.

Born at the Miami Seaquarium, Buffett is a part of the only family of manatees that are permanently captive . Most other manatees in human care are a part of a rehabilitation program and are typically released back to the wild.

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"It is in Buffett’s best interest to remain in human care at Mote with a companion animal," Mote Marine stated. "The process of finding a suitable companion manatee in managed care is complex and involves many partners and factors, including manatee gender, age, size, as well as medical and behavioral history, and ensuring the introduction is what is best for the companion animal, not just Buffett."

Mote Marine announced Buffett will remain in captivity and that a new rescued male manatee companion was introduced to Buffet on Wednesday. The aquarium did not indicate whether or not the rescued manatee would remain in captivity permanently or follow the typical rehabilitate and release process.

All facilities that house manatees are permitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is the entity that is ultimately responsible for decisions about manatee transfers and placement.

The announcement was made as the aquarium is nearing completion of a new $130 multimillion dollar Mote SEA at Benderson Park facility in Sarasota next year.

"We will have someone available as soon as possible to answer any questions, including the future of the rescued manatee, should the introduction go as planned," Mote Marine Marketing & Public Relations Manager Kaitlyn Fusco said. "Right now, our team is focused on the animals’ well being."

Buffett to remain at Mote Marine, another male manatee introduced

The new manatee replaces Hugh, another male manatee that died in 2023 from a rip in his colon sustained during a sexual encounter with his larger and younger brother Buffett.

Mote Marine stated that relocating Buffett from the aquarium to a sanctuary is not in the animal's best interest because available sanctuaries are non-enclosed during the winter months, or they care for only female manatees.

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Authorities also chose to introduce a male manatee to Buffett because federal law bars captive manatees from breeding in captivity.

The manatee habitat will be closed during the preliminary introduction period. Mote Marine has created a separation plan that can be put to action if necessary. It involves the use of separation gates in the main manatee habitat and operating a functional medical pool to physically separate the two animals.

"The preliminary introduction of these two manatees is taking place in a controlled setting to ensure the animals are compatible with each other," Mote Marine stated. "For the health and safety of the animals, and in accordance with Mote’s strict animal introductions protocol, the manatees’ habitat is temporarily closed to guests while the introduction takes place."

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Mote Marine introduces new companion to long-term resident manatee Buffett