The Seas with Nemo & Friends Introduces Mermaid, the Pavilion’s Newest Manatee Star!
A significant change took place at EPCOT earlier this year when the manatees that had called The Seas With Nemo & Friends pavilion home were relocated. With Lil Joe and Inigo moving over to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, many fans worried that The Seas would permanently close.
Luckily, that turned out not to be the case.
In February, two new manatees named Mino and Cider arrived at EPCOT. Disney subsequently explained that The Seas pavilion’s role in manatee conservation was changing.
The New Role of The Seas Pavilion
In collaboration with the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Disney is transitioning The Seas from a long-term permanent manatee care residency to a short-term critical care facility.
Photo: Also Disney
With the change, Disneey promised that EPCOT guests would soon see more manatees cycle through the park’s facilities.
Introducing Mermaid
This morning, Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President of Animals, Science, and Environment, took to Instagram to introduce fans to Mermaid, the newest manatee to call The Seas pavilion home!
“Weighing in at approximately 525 pounds, Mermaid was rescued north of Tampa from the Homosassa River in February after needing critical care. Through Disney’s collaboration with the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, our skilled animal care team is working to help her regain strength and weight,” Dr. Penning explained.
Mermaid has arrived at The Seas! Photo: Also Dr. Mark Penning on Instagram
“This partnership and the care Mermaid will receive at The Seas is the next stop on her journey as she prepares for her eventual return to the wild. As a leader in wildlife conservation, we are honored and look forward to aiding Mermaid, and other manatees in the next stage of rehabilitation, as we continue to do our part in addressing the manatee crisis in Florida.”
So, if you plan on visiting EPCOT soon, make sure you stop by The Seas and say hi to Mermaid!
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