USDA report indicates how Mote Marine's Hugh the manatee died. Here's what we know.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture report indicates that the death of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium’s Hugh the manatee could have been prevented.

After the 38-year-old Hugh died in late April, a necropsy – the term for an autopsy done on an animal – was conducted to determine the exact cause of his death. The results of the exam were recently published by the USDA, and Mote is appealing the findings.

Here’s what we know about the memorable manatee and his passing.

What does the USDA report say?

Hugh died from a 14.5-centimeter rip in his colon and other traumatic injuries caused by a sexual encounter with another, larger, male manatee at the facility, according to the necropsy report findings.

"The facility failed to handle Hugh expeditiously and as carefully as possible to prevent trauma and physical harm, resulting in the death of the animal,” the report states.

Mote Marine described the incident differently in a press release on April 30, the day after Hugh’s death.

"After Hugh showed a change in his behavior earlier in the day, animal care staff began closely monitoring him,” Mote stated. “Saturday late afternoon, Hugh suddenly became unresponsive in his habitat at Mote Aquarium's Marine Mammal Center. Hugh’s Animal Care team responded immediately, and ultimately determined that Hugh had passed away."

What has Mote said about the report?

Mote Marine spokesman Kevin Cooper said on Monday that staff members who worked with Hugh continue to mourn his death and that the aquarium is committed to the USDA's gold standards for animal care.

"Throughout the events leading up to his passing, Mote acted within the professional standards and practices that we have observed throughout Hugh's 27 years with us, and as recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership,” Cooper said.

He said Mote’s animal care staff communicated with the medical care team as quickly and as often as possible.

How did Hugh get to Mote Marine?

Hugh was born at the Miami Seaquarium in 1984. He and his half-brother, Buffett, moved to Mote from Lowry Park Zoo – now called ZooTampa at Lowry Park – in 1996, according to Herald-Tribune file stories. The move was originally supposed to be temporary – to free up space at Lowry for sick manatees. But it eventually became permanent.

What were some of the highlights of Hugh’s time at Mote?

Hugh and Buffett routinely participated in research projects, according to Mote. One study that included the Mote animals indicated that manatees' body whiskers are almost as sensitive as their facial whiskers in analyzing their surroundings and detecting vibrations in the water.

More about Hugh: Mote Marine celebrates manatee Hugh's birthday in Sarasota

And: In Sarasota, Mote Marine’s manatees and otters make Super Bowl LV picks

“Hugh, and his brother Buffett, are the world’s only manatees to participate in voluntary, detailed behavioral research designed to aid manatee conservation,” Mote’s April 30 press release said.

Hugh and Buffett also excelled at picking NFL Super Bowl championship teams, with many community members turning to the two animals every year for predictions ahead of the game. Hugh correctly picked the Kansas City Chiefs this year.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Report indicates that Mote manatee death could have been prevented