BRADENTON, Fla. — South Florida Museum continues making improvements to its manatee rehabilitation facility since its beloved Snooty died two years ago.
The nonprofit facility is asking the state for $400,000 to pay for a transport vehicle, roof renovations and a generator.
O'Neil the manatee calls the Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat home -- he'll be there until deemed OK to re-enter the wild.
Workers have rehabilitated 36 manatees since 1998.
The museum's CEO, Brynne Anne Besio, says rehabilitating injured manatees is Snooty's legacy.
Since his death, the museum has hired someone to oversee and improve the care given to manatees. Snooty drowned when the hatch door to a plumbing area was left open -- he entered and was trapped.
Snooty was 69 years old. He was the longest living manatee in captivity.
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