Snooty, world's oldest known manatee, dies aged 69 in 'heartbreaking accident'

• Snooty reportedly got stuck in a maintenance hatch at South Florida Museum
• Museum says: 'A lot of people loved that manatee. We loved him too'

Snooty, the world's oldest known manatee, died on Sunday at his Florida home, a day after celebrating his 69th birthday.

In a statement, South Florida Museum chief executive Brynne Anne Besio said Snooty's death appeared to be "a heartbreaking accident" and added that staff were "devastated".