Disney Releases Manatee Back Into The Wild!
Disney has just released one of its manatees back into the wild! Find out the details!
Disney Now a Short-Term Care Facility
Disney has shifted their focus from a long-term facility to a 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.
Mermaid The Manatee
Back in March, Disney welcomed Mermaid the manatee to the Seabase at EPCOT in Walt Disney World. She was rescued north of Tampa from the Homosassa River.
She weighed about 525 pounds upon her arrival at The Seas with Nemo and Friends.
With Disney's collaboration with the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, Mermaid would get all the critical care she needed to get bigger and stronger.
Mermaid's Release Back Into The Wild!
Mermaid is no longer calling the Seabase her home as Disney has released her back into the wild! She was released on October 9, 2025.
Mermid was released back into the wild on October 9, 2025.
Check out the Instagram post showing Mermaid's release back into the wild:
We are so excited to see Mermaid thriving and return home. She was brought back to the Homosassa River, where she was originally rescued.
Are you excited to see Mermaid return home? Did you get to see her at all during her stay at The Seas With Nemo and Friends? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to share this post with your friends!
