A NEW Manatee Arrives at Disney World

Disney recently shared that they were changing the plan for the manatee exhibit at EPCOT. With this change, Disney has welcomed another new manatee!

Disney Changes to Short-Term Care Facility

Disney has stated that they are shifting focus from a long-term facility to short-term critical care. Dr Jen, a veterinarian at Walt Disney World, stated, “As strandings increase, critical care facilities are becoming overwhelmed, so by shifting our focus, we open up space at The Seas for more of those urgent cases. This helps relieve pressure on overcrowded facilities, supports the MRP’s efforts, and boosts our contribution to manatee conservation, which is what excites me most about shifting from long-term care to short-term rehabilitation.”

The plan is that Manatees should only remain at Disney for six to nine months. This will have Disney guests seeing many, and even young, manatees.

You can read more about this shift to a short-term care facility HERE.

First Short-Term Manatees

Back in February, four manatees began calling the Seabase at EPCOT their temporary home. Initially, only two of the four manatees were out for Guest viewing.

Four manatees were welcomed to the Seabase at EPCOT in February.

Cider and Mino were the first two new manatees out for Guest viewing when the Seabase switched to a short-term care facility. You can read more about these manatees’ arrival HERE.

A New Manatee Arrives!

Disney has shared some more exciting news. Another new manatee has joined The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT. This new manatee is named Mermaid!

She weighs about 525 pounds and was rescued north of Tampa from the Homosassa River. With Disney’s collaboration with the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, Mermaid is getting all the critical care she needs to get bigger and stronger.

Mermaid’s stop at The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT will help her get bigger and stronger before she is released back into the wild!

Once Mermaid is healthy enough, she will return to the wild! This plan, returning to the wild, is the goal for all manatees who come through The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT.

Have you seen Mermaid at EPCOT yet? Do you hope to see her before she returns to the wild? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to share this post with your friends!