Oldest manatee victim of death hoax

Despite rumors that 66-year-old Snooty the manatee had passed away Wednesday night, South Florida Museum officials said Thursday that he is alive and well.

“There was a Facebook post on what appeared to be a fan page that was a hoax,” said Jessica Schubick, communications manager for the South Florida Museum. “It said it was from the museum and that Snooty passed away, but that, of course, has not happened, we’re very glad to say. It appears to have just been a cruel hoax that spread very quickly.”

The museum had been receiving calls asking about the oldest known manatee’s rumored death since Wednesday, Schubick said.

Schubick said the Facebook page where the rumor started was not affiliated with the South Florida Museum, Snooty’s home since he was about a year old. was seen sitting on top of the woman, hitting her in the face with his fist. Deputies say the right side of her face was swollen.

“Those are serious allegations and Florida Tech will receive the appropriate information from law enforcement, and the situation will be reviewed through our judicial process,” said Wes Sumner, FIT spokesman.

Beliauskas graduated with a mechanical engineering degree in December. He’s now studying mechanical engineering as a graduate student.

He was last on the rowing team in May; he’s not on the team this fall. Beliauskas was named FIT’s athlete of the year in April.