Check Out The Latest Disney World Manatee Update
The manatees that call Disney home have quite a following. On our most recent visit, we got an update from a Cast Member on how the manatees are doing.
The Seabase Now Short Term Care Facility
Disney has shifted its 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.
Manatee Update
On our most recent visit to EPCOT, we made a trip over to the Seabase to check on the manatees. The Cast Members here are always friendly and enjoy talking about the manatees. They gave us some updates on the manatees.
We were first informed that Mino has been relocated (earlier this year) to St. Augustine as part of the new short-term care manatee program.
The second update we received was that Cider was being held and cared for backstage due to a recent surgery. The Cast Member informed us that Cider had to travel to Animal Kingdom to have the procedure done, and still has drains in place from the surgery. During recovery, Cider needs to remain separate from the other manatees.
What Does This Mean For You?
Guests will still be able to see manatees during their visit to the Seabase. While Cider is recovering, Tanimura and Mermaid are the only manatees in the tank for the Guests to see.
Guests are able to view Tanimura and Mermaid when visiting Seabase.
The Cast Member also informed us that the door for the manatees to go freely between the backstage space and the viewing area remains closed. This is how they keep the manatees separated during Cider's recovery period.
Have you been to the Seabase recently? Do you like to visit the manatees when you visit EPCOT? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to share this post with your friends!
